title: Control of ultrafast molecular photodissociation by laser-field-induced potentials.
abstract: Experiments aimed at understanding ultrafast molecular processes are now routine, and the notion that external laser fields can constitute an additional reagent is also well established. The possibility of externally controlling a reaction with radiation increases immensely when its intensity is sufficiently high to distort the potential energy surfaces at which chemists conceptualize reactions take place. Here we explore the transition from the weak- to the strong-field regimes of laser control for the dissociation of a polyatomic molecule, methyl iodide. The control over the yield of the photodissociation reaction proceeds through the creation of a light-induced conical intersection. The control of the velocity of the product fragments requires external fields with both high intensities and short durations. This is because the mechanism by which control is exerted involves modulating the potentials around the light-induced conical intersection, that is, creating light-induced potentials.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Química Física (Unidad Asociada de I+D+i al CSIC), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Corrales
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Química, Módulo 13, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: González-Vázquez
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Química Física (Unidad Asociada de I+D+i al CSIC), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Balerdi
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Química Física (Unidad Asociada de I+D+i al CSIC), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: I R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Solá
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano, CSIC, C/ Serrano 119, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Nalda
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Química Física (Unidad Asociada de I+D+i al CSIC), Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bañares