title: Optimal alignment control of a nonpolar molecule through nonresonant multiphoton transitions.
abstract: Alignment control of an ensemble of nonpolar molecules is numerically studied by means of optimal control simulation. A nitrogen molecule that is modeled by a quantum rigid rotor is adopted. Controlled rotational wave packets are created through nonresonant optical transitions induced by polarizability coupling. Optimal pulses are designed to achieve the alignment control at a specified time in the absence/presence of external static fields in zero- and finite-temperature cases, as well as to maintain an aligned state. When maintaining an aligned state over a specified time interval is chosen as a target, the control mechanism is primarily attributed to a dynamical one. Multiple optimal solutions that lead to virtually the same control achievement are found, which are consistent with the topology of the quantum control landscape.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuyuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakagami
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mizumoto
authors.forename: Yukiyoshi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ohtsuki