Coherent control of photoelectron angular distributions in nitric oxide
Abstract
In this study, we extended the coherent control theory proposed by Brumer and Shapiro to bound-continuum transition in a molecular system where control of the ejection direction of photoelectrons in the ionization of nitric oxide was achieved. Nitric oxide was prepared in its first excited Rydberg state and was then ionized simultaneously by two different paths: a one-photon and a two-photon process. The fundamental and second harmonic frequencies of a dye laser were used for the two different ionization processes. Interference due to the two paths was detected by measuring the photoelectrons ejected in a defined solid angle. Changing the relative phase between the two paths resulted in a destructive or constructive interference leading to a decrease or increase of the measured signal, respectively. This study showed that interference experiments are very sensitive, not only to lasers' properties and the optical components, but also to the properties of the molecular system. Laser properties, such as, spatial and temporal mode qualities, power fluctuations and timing, influenced the relative strength of the signals of the two ionization paths. Optical component properties, such as, surface parallelism and quality, affected laser divergence, and therefore, considerably reduced the depth of modulation. As for the molecular system, in a resonance two-photon excitation, appropriate resonance states must be chosen to ensure that the two processes produce electron waves of opposite parities which can interfere constructively to produce an enhancement of electron ejection in a certain direction. Due to the non-ideal properties of the lasers used, it is best to use a non-resonant two-photon ionization as one of the interfering paths. Resonant two-photon ionization, combined with the multi-mode laser greatly reduced the depth of the modulation.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Grant, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Chemistry|Optics
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