Ab initio design of laser pulse for controlling photochemical reactions

With high level ab initio description of molecule-field interaction, we have developed an optimal control algorithm for manipulating molecular transformation and quantum populations. High order molecule-field interactions are fully taken into account through the use of electric-nuclear Born-Oppenheimer (ENBO) approximation. The present algorithm is demonstrated on the control of molecular post-pulse (transient)alignment and orientation. High degrees of alignment and orientation are achieved in a vibrationally selective manner by optimized infrared laser pulses of duration on the order one rotational period of molecule. To reveal the control mechanism behind the complicated optimal pulses, an analytical pulse design method is developed within the ENBO approximation, which is based on a two-state treatment of the dynamics in a Floquet picture. This analytical method is also illustrated on the control of the alignment of homonuclear diatomics. (author)