Ultrafast Laser Pulse Shaping for Quantum Molecular Control and Laser Selective Chemistry

在化学学部实验物理化学项目的这个项目中，Warren将使用超快激光脉冲整形技术来产生具有选定量子态的分子。一种新的脉冲整形方法将产生具有飞秒结构特征的易于调节的波形。还将开发一种非常快速的脉冲形状检测方法。这些技术将被应用于分子系统，以尝试改变弛豫速率，选择性地在相互竞争的吸收剂存在的情况下激发分子，或者迫使分子上非调和阶梯。实验测量的分子响应将用于使目标分子本身优化操纵脉冲的设计。在这些实验中，沃伦将研究如何激发即将发生反应的分子，使反应沿着一条期望的途径进行，而不是沿着一条或多条不希望的途径进行。这种控制化学反应结果的能力将对许多化学制造过程产生影响，使一些以前不可能的成为可能，或使其他过程更有效率和更具成本效益。

In this project in the Experimental Physical Chemistry Program of the Chemistry Division, Warren will use ultrafast laser pulse-shaping techniques to produce molecules in selected quantum states. A new pulse shaping approach will produce easily adjustable waveforms with femtosecond structural features. A very rapid method of pulse shape detection will also be developed. These techniques will be applied to molecular systems to try to alter relaxation rates, selectively excite molecules in the presence of competing absorbers, or force molecules up anharmonic ladders. Experimentally measured molecular responses will be used to make the target molecule itself optimize the design of the manipulation pulse. %%% In these experiments Warren will be studying how to excite molecules which are about to react so that the reactions will go along one desired pathway rather than along one or several undesired pathways. This type of ability to control the outcome of chemical reactions will have an effect on many chemical manufacturing processes, making some possible which previously were not, or making others more efficient and cost-effective.