Quantum-phase resolved mapping of ground-state vibrational D2 wave packets via selective depletion in intense laser pulses.
Applying 7 fs pump-probe pulses (780 nm, 4 x 10(14) W/cm2) we observe electronic ground-state vibrational wave packets in neutral D2 with a period of T=11.101(70) fs by following the internuclear separation (R-)dependent ionization with a sensitivity of Delta<R><or=0.02 A. The absolute phase of the wave packet's motion provides evidence for R-dependent depletion of the ground state by nonlinear ionization, to be the dominant preparation mechanism. A phase shift of about pi found between pure ionization (D2+) and dissociation (D+ + D) channels opens a pathway of quantum control.
Ergler
Th
T
Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany.
Feuerstein
B
B
Rudenko
A
A
Zrost
K
K
Schröter
C D
CD
Moshammer
R
R
Ullrich
J
J