Quantum Control of Molecular Ionization Process by Phase-controlled Laser Fields

Abstract

Intense (1012-1013 W/cm2) phase-controlled laser fields consisting of a fundamental light and a second-harmonic light induce the directionally asymmetric tunneling ionization and the resultant orientation-selective molecular ionization. It is demonstrated that orientation-selective molecular ionization induced by phase-controlled ω + 2ω laser fields reflects the geometric structure of the highest occupied molecular orbital. This method was robust, being free of both laser wavelength and pulse-duration constraints, and thus can be applied to a wide range of molecules.