title: Imaging and control of interfering wave packets in a dissociating molecule.
abstract: Using two identical 110 femtosecond (fs) optical pulses separated by 310 fs, we launch two dissociative wave packets in I2. We measure the square of the wave function as a function of both the internuclear separation, /Psi(R)/(2), and of the internuclear velocity, /Psi(v(R))/(2), by ionizing the dissociating molecule with an intense 20 fs probe pulse. Strong interference is observed in both /Psi(R)/(2) and in /Psi(v(R))/(2). The interference, and therefore the shape of the wave function, is controlled through the phase difference between the two dissociation pulses in good agreement with calculations.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Arhus, DK-8000 Arhus C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Esben
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Skovsen
authors.forename: Mette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Machholm
authors.forename: Tine
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ejdrup
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thøgersen
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stapelfeldt