title: Three dimensional alignment of molecules using elliptically polarized laser fields
abstract: We demonstrate, theoretically and experimentally, that an intense, elliptically polarized, nonresonant laser field can simultaneously force all three axes of a molecule to align along given axes fixed in space, thus inhibiting the free rotation in all three Euler angles. Theoretically, the effect is illustrated through time dependent quantum mechanical calculations. Experimentally, 3, 4-dibromothiophene molecules are aligned with a nanosecond laser pulse. The alignment is probed by 2D ion imaging of the fragments from a 20 fs laser pulse induced Coulomb explosion.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Arhus, DK-8000 Arhus C, Denmark.
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hald
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bjerre
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stapelfeldt
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seideman