Complete Quantum State Selectivity in Cold Molecular Beams Using Deflection-Resistant Dark States in a STIRAP Configuration.
One of the main goals of chemical dynamics is the creation of molecular beams composed of a single (vibrational, rotational, and magnetic) quantum state of choice. In this Letter, we propose a method to achieve complete quantum state selectivity by producing resistance to electromagnetically induced deflection (EID) and that the state to be selected can be "dialed in" at will. We illustrate the method by showing in detail how to purify thermal beams of the LiRb and IF molecules to yield molecular beams composed of a variety of prechosen single internal quantum states and/or superpositions of such states. We expect that this method will be implemented in all subsequent explorations of the fundamentals of chemical reactions and their control and the use of cold molecules as a vehicle for studying some of the most profound issues of quantum dynamics.
†Chemical Sciences and Ultrafast X-ray Science Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.
Xuan
X
Li
‡Departments of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z1.
Asaf
A
Eilam
‡Departments of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z1.
Moshe
M
Shapiro
coherent population trapping; dipole force; electromagnetically induced transparency; optical forces