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Single-cycle optical pulses synchronized with molecular oscillations

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Abstract

Molecular modulation can produce an ultra-broad spectrum of infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light. This technique relies on the adiabatic preparation of highly coherent molecular vibrations or rotations in large ensembles of molecules. Coherent molecular motion leads to laser frequency modulation, and results in an efficient collinear generation of equidistant mutually coherent sidebands. In this paper I discuss perspectives for using this light source to synthesize sub-cycle and non-sinusoidal light pulses that are perfectly synchronized with the molecular oscillations in the given molecular system. These pulses provide a unique tool for studying ultra-fast atomic and molecular dynamics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics and Institute for Quantum Studies, Texas A&M University, 77843-4242, College Station, TX, USA

    A.V. Sokolov

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42.50.Gy; 42.50.Hz; 42.65.Dr; 42.65.Re

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Sokolov, A. Single-cycle optical pulses synchronized with molecular oscillations. Appl Phys B 77, 343–347 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-003-1232-5

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