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Title: Spatiotemporal Imaging of Ultrafast Molecular Motion: Collapse and Revival of the D{sub 2}{sup +} Nuclear Wave Packet

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters
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  1. Max-Planck-Institut fuer Kernphysik, D-69029 Heidelberg (Germany)

We report on a real-time imaging of the ultrafast D{sub 2}{sup +} rovibrational nuclear wave-packet motion performed using a combination of a pump-probe setup with 7 fs laser pulses and a 'reaction-microscope' spectrometer. We observe fast dephasing (collapse) of the vibrational wave packet and its subsequent revival and prove rotational excitation in ultrashort laser pulses. Channel-selective Fourier analysis of the wave packet's long-term ({approx}3000 fs) evolution allows us to resolve its individual constituents, revealing unique information on the mechanisms of strong-field ionization and dissociation.

OSTI ID:
20861102
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Vol. 97, Issue 19; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.97.193001; (c) 2006 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0031-9007
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English