Femtosecond pulse induced predissociation dynamics in static electric fields

Abstract

The quantum dynamics of NaI molecules in static electric fields is investigated. Upon femtosecond excitation, a wave packet is prepared which performs a quasi-bound motion in a coupled system of two electronic states. A detailed study of the influence of the external field on the molecular orientation on one hand, and the interplay between the rotational, vibrational and predissociation dynamics on the other, is presented. It is documented that polarization dependent pump–probe experiments are a powerful tool to follow the orientational dynamics in real time.