Quantum Control by Ultrafast Polarization Shaping

Abstract

We demonstrate that the use of time-dependent light polarization opens a new level of control over quantum systems. With potassium dimer molecules from a supersonic molecular beam, we show that a polarization-shaped laser pulse increases the ionization yield beyond that obtained with an optimally shaped linearly polarized laser pulse. This is due to the different multiphoton ionization pathways in K2 involving dipole transitions which favor different polarization directions of the exciting laser field. This experiment is a qualitative extension of quantum control mechanisms which opens up new directions giving access to the three-dimensional temporal response of molecular systems.

Strong field quantum control by selective population of dressed states

“…An alternative approach based on the use of the combination of pulse shaping techniques [12] with adaptive feedback learning loops (closed loop) was suggested [13] for the case when the underlying potential surfaces are unknown. Implementations of this technique demonstrate the optimization of almost any conceivable physical quantity [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. However, it is not clear whether this methodology is suitable to extract the underlying physical mechanism from the electrical fields obtained during the optimization process.…”

Investigations of Field Dynamics in Laser Plasmas with Proton Imaging

“…a liquid-crystal display in the spectral split beam) leads to special temporally shaped pulses which are of interest for several applications [20,21].…”

Adaptive Femtosecond Quantum Control

“…The corresponding results presented in this chapter are published in [136] and were among the first applications of polarization-shaped laser pulses for the control of quantum systems (together with [137]). Additional experiments employing polarization-shaped laser pulses have since then been conducted by Polack et.…”