title: Laser-driven clockwise molecular rotation for a transient spinning waveplate.
abstract: Our simulations show a copropagating pair of laser pulses polarized in two different directions can selectively excite clockwise or counterclockwise molecular rotation in a gas of linear molecules. The resulting birefringence of the gas rotates on a femtosecond timescale and shows a periodic revival structure. The total duration of the pulse pair can be subpicosecond, allowing molecular alignment at the high densities and temperatures necessary to create a transient spinning waveplate.
authors: Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA. Andrew.G.York+opex@gmail.com
authors: Andrew G
authors: AG
authors: York
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D007834:Lasers; D008027:Light; D008956:Models, Chemical; D055096:Optical Devices; D052898:Optical Tweezers; D012399:Rotation; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D014159:Transducers