title: Optimal control of photoisomerization.
abstract: We report on optimal control of the photoisomerization of 3,3-diethyl-2,2-thiacyanine iodide dissolved in methanol. Enhancement and reduction of the relative yield of cis to trans isomers are achieved; i.e., the quantum efficiency of the photoisomerization is controlled with optimally phase and amplitude shaped 400 nm femtosecond laser pulses. Single-parameter control schemes, like chirp or intensity variation, fail to change the ratio of the photoproducts. The successful modification of the molecular structure can be regarded as a first step towards controlled stereoselectivity in photochemistry.
authors.affiliation: Physikalisches Institut, Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vogt
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Krampert
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Niklaus
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nuernberger
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gerber
mesh_terms: D002232:Carbocyanines / Q000737:chemistry*; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D007536:Isomerism; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D002232:Carbocyanines; D004396:Coloring Agents