Coherent and Incoherent Control of Electronic, Vibrational, and Rotational Wavepackets with Ultrashort Laser Pulses

自激光发明以来，对化学反应的相干控制一直是激光物理学的驱动力。该小组将使用这套完整的分子控制技术来回答有关分子与强激光场相互作用的基本问题。最广泛的目标是了解作为核间分离的函数在分子中从分子行为到原子行为的转变。此外，在过去的几年里，从对强激光领域中的分子的研究中演变出了一个全新的概念，我们称之为“非相干”或“耗散”控制。与传统的相干控制不同，这种新方法实际上在更高的温度下工作得更好，并可能导致在室温下控制化学反应的方法。在过去的十年里，人们对高次谐波产生(HHG)、阿秒物理和短脉冲X射线自由电子激光的兴趣激增。然而，在这些领域的研究需要巨大的时间和金钱投入。我们可以在一个以大学为基地的小型实验室里，更快、更便宜地研究和测试这些过程的物理基础的许多方面，以支持大型设施的项目。此外，这些实验需要最先进的激光系统，让学生亲身体验最新的激光和光学技术，并为他们进入各种以研究为基础的学术或高科技工业职业道路做好准备。

Coherent control of chemical reactions has been a driving force in laser physics since the invention of the laser itself. The group will use this full arsenal of control techniques on molecules to answer basic questions about the interaction of molecules with intense laser fields. The broadest goal is to understand the transition from molecular to atomic behavior in molecules as a function of internuclear separation. In addition, over the past several years, an entirely new concept has evolved from studies of molecules in intense laser fields that we call "incoherent" or "dissipative" control. Unlike traditional coherent control, this new method actually works better at higher temperatures and may lead to methods for controlling chemical reactions at room temperature.Interest in high-harmonic generation (HHG), attosecond physics, and short-pulse x-ray free electron lasers has exploded over the past decade. However, research in these fields requires huge investments of time and money. We can study and test many aspects underlying the physics of these processes more quickly and inexpensively at a small University-based lab to support projects at large facilities. In addition, the experiments require state-of-the-art laser systems, giving students hands-on experience with the latest laser and optical technologies and preparing them for a variety of research-based academic or high-tech industrial career paths.