Issue 48, 2023

Quantum control of field-free molecular orientation

Abstract

Generating field-free (non-stationary) orientation of molecules in space has been a longstanding goal in the field of quantum control of molecular rotation, which has significant applications in physical chemistry, chemical physics, strong-field physics, and quantum information science. In this Perspective, we review and examine several representative control schemes developed in recent years and implemented in theoretical and experimental areas for generating field-free orientation of molecules. By conducting numerical simulations of different control schemes on the same molecular system, we demonstrate that quantum coherent control, specifically targeting a limited number of the lowest-lying rotational levels to achieve an optimal superposition, can result in a high degree of orientation. To this end, we provide an overview of our latest developed analytical method, which enables the precise design of terahertz field parameters through resonant excitation. This design approach facilitates the attainment of desired field-free orientations by optimizing the amplitudes and phases of rotational wave functions for the selected rotational levels. Finally, we outlook the significance of such progress in multiple frontier research fields, highlighting its potential applications in ultracold physics, quantum computation, quantum simulation, and quantum metrology.

Graphical abstract: Quantum control of field-free molecular orientation

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
03 Uzt. 2023
Accepted
08 Ira. 2023
First published
11 Ira. 2023

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2023,25, 32763-32777

Quantum control of field-free molecular orientation

Q. Hong, Z. Lian, C. Shu and N. E. Henriksen, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2023, 25, 32763 DOI: 10.1039/D3CP03115B

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