1
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Blech A, Ebeling RMM, Heger M, Koch CP, Reich DM. Numerical evaluation of orientation averages and its application to molecular physics. J Chem Phys 2024; 161:131501. [PMID: 39365019 DOI: 10.1063/5.0230569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024] Open
Abstract
In molecular physics, it is often necessary to average over the orientation of molecules when calculating observables, in particular when modeling experiments in the liquid or gas phase. Evaluated in terms of Euler angles, this is closely related to integration over two- or three-dimensional unit spheres, a common problem discussed in numerical analysis. The computational cost of the integration depends significantly on the quadrature method, making the selection of an appropriate method crucial for the feasibility of simulations. After reviewing several classes of spherical quadrature methods in terms of their efficiency and error distribution, we derive guidelines for choosing the best quadrature method for orientation averages and illustrate these with three examples from chiral molecule physics. While Gauss quadratures allow for achieving numerically exact integration for a wide range of applications, other methods offer advantages in specific circumstances. Our guidelines can also be applied to higher-dimensional spherical domains and other geometries. We also present a Python package providing a flexible interface to a variety of quadrature methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Blech
- Dahlem Center for Complex Quantum Systems and Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Raoul M M Ebeling
- Dahlem Center for Complex Quantum Systems and Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marec Heger
- Dahlem Center for Complex Quantum Systems and Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christiane P Koch
- Dahlem Center for Complex Quantum Systems and Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel M Reich
- Dahlem Center for Complex Quantum Systems and Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
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2
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Hong QQ, Lian ZZ, Shu CC, Henriksen NE. Quantum control of field-free molecular orientation. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023. [PMID: 37724061 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp03115b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Generating field-free (non-stationary) orientation of molecules in space has been a longstanding goal in the field of quantum control of molecular rotation, which has significant applications in physical chemistry, chemical physics, strong-field physics, and quantum information science. In this Perspective, we review and examine several representative control schemes developed in recent years and implemented in theoretical and experimental areas for generating field-free orientation of molecules. By conducting numerical simulations of different control schemes on the same molecular system, we demonstrate that quantum coherent control, specifically targeting a limited number of the lowest-lying rotational levels to achieve an optimal superposition, can result in a high degree of orientation. To this end, we provide an overview of our latest developed analytical method, which enables the precise design of terahertz field parameters through resonant excitation. This design approach facilitates the attainment of desired field-free orientations by optimizing the amplitudes and phases of rotational wave functions for the selected rotational levels. Finally, we outlook the significance of such progress in multiple frontier research fields, highlighting its potential applications in ultracold physics, quantum computation, quantum simulation, and quantum metrology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian-Qian Hong
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nanophotonics and Devices, School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.
| | - Zhen-Zhong Lian
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nanophotonics and Devices, School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.
| | - Chuan-Cun Shu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Nanophotonics and Devices, School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.
| | - Niels E Henriksen
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Building 207, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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3
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Lu H, Azizi A, Mi XP, Wenjing Y, Peng Y, Xu T, Früchtl H, van Mourik T, Kirk SR, Jenkins S. Scoring molecular wires subject to an ultrafast laser pulse for molecular electronic devices. J Comput Chem 2023. [PMID: 37133985 DOI: 10.1002/jcc.27126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
A nonionizing ultrafast laser pulse of 20-fs duration with a peak amplitude electric-field ±E = 200 × 10-4 a.u. was simulated. It was applied to the ethene molecule to consider its effect on the electron dynamics, both during the application of the laser pulse and for up to 100 fs after the pulse was switched off. Four laser pulse frequencies ω = 0.2692, 0.2808, 0.2830, and 0.2900 a.u. were chosen to correspond to excitation energies mid-way between the (S1 ,S2 ), (S2 ,S3 ), (S3 ,S4 ) and (S4 ,S5 ) electronic states, respectively. Scalar quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) was used to quantify the shifts of the C1C2 bond critical points (BCPs). Depending on the frequencies ω selected, the C1C2 BCP shifts were up to 5.8 times higher after the pulse was switched off compared with a static E-field with the same magnitude. Next generation QTAIM (NG-QTAIM) was used to visualize and quantify the directional chemical character. In particular, polarization effects and bond strengths, in the form of bond-rigidity vs. bond-flexibility, were found, for some laser pulse frequencies, to increase after the laser pulse was switched off. Our analysis demonstrates that NG-QTAIM, in partnership with ultrafast laser irradiation, is useful as a tool in the emerging field of ultrafast electron dynamics, which will be essential for the design, and control of molecular electronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Lu
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Traditional Chinese Medicine Research and Key Laboratory of Resource National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for New Petro-chemical Materials and Fine Utilization of Resources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Alireza Azizi
- State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, School of Materials Science & Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiao Peng Mi
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Traditional Chinese Medicine Research and Key Laboratory of Resource National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for New Petro-chemical Materials and Fine Utilization of Resources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yu Wenjing
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Traditional Chinese Medicine Research and Key Laboratory of Resource National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for New Petro-chemical Materials and Fine Utilization of Resources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yuting Peng
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Traditional Chinese Medicine Research and Key Laboratory of Resource National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for New Petro-chemical Materials and Fine Utilization of Resources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Tianlv Xu
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Traditional Chinese Medicine Research and Key Laboratory of Resource National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for New Petro-chemical Materials and Fine Utilization of Resources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Herbert Früchtl
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Saint Andrews, Fife, Scotland, UK
| | - Tanja van Mourik
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, University of Saint Andrews, Fife, Scotland, UK
| | - Steven R Kirk
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Traditional Chinese Medicine Research and Key Laboratory of Resource National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for New Petro-chemical Materials and Fine Utilization of Resources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Samantha Jenkins
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Traditional Chinese Medicine Research and Key Laboratory of Resource National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for New Petro-chemical Materials and Fine Utilization of Resources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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4
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Damari R, Beer A, Rosenberg D, Fleischer S. Molecular orientation echoes via concerted terahertz and near-IR excitations. OPTICS EXPRESS 2022; 30:44464-44471. [PMID: 36522870 DOI: 10.1364/oe.474024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
A new and efficient method for orientation echo spectroscopy is presented and realized experimentally. The excitation scheme utilizes concerted rotational excitations by both ultrashort terahertz and near-IR pulses and its all-optical detection is enabled by the molecular orientation-induced second harmonic method [J. Phys. Chem. A126, 3732 (2022)10.1021/acs.jpca.2c03237]. This method provides practical means for orientation echo spectroscopy of gas phase molecules and highlights the intriguing underlying physics of coherent rotational dynamics induced by judiciously-orchestrated interactions with both resonant (terahertz) and nonresonant (NIR) fields.
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5
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Ayuso D, Ordonez AF, Smirnova O. Ultrafast chirality: the road to efficient chiral measurements. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:26962-26991. [PMID: 36342056 PMCID: PMC9673685 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp01009g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Today we are witnessing the electric-dipole revolution in chiral measurements. Here we reflect on its lessons and outcomes, such as the perspective on chiral measurements using the complementary principles of "chiral reagent" and "chiral observer", the hierarchy of scalar, vectorial and tensorial enantio-sensitive observables, the new properties of the chiro-optical response in the ultrafast and non-linear domains, and the geometrical magnetism associated with the chiral response in photoionization. The electric-dipole revolution is a landmark event. It has opened routes to extremely efficient enantio-discrimination with a family of new methods. These methods are governed by the same principles but work in vastly different regimes - from microwaves to optical light; they address all molecular degrees of freedom - electronic, vibrational and rotational, and use flexible detection schemes, i.e. detecting photons or electrons, making them applicable to different chiral phases, from gases to liquids to amorphous solids. The electric-dipole revolution has also enabled enantio-sensitive manipulation of chiral molecules with light. This manipulation includes exciting and controlling ultrafast helical currents in vibronic states of chiral molecules, enantio-sensitive control of populations in electronic, vibronic and rotational molecular states, and opens the way to efficient enantio-separation and enantio-sensitive trapping of chiral molecules. The word "perspective" has two meanings: an "outlook" and a "point of view". In this perspective article, we have tried to cover both meanings.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ayuso
- Max-Born-Institut, 12489 Berlin, Germany
- Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ London, UK.
| | - Andres F Ordonez
- Max-Born-Institut, 12489 Berlin, Germany
- ICFO-Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08860 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Olga Smirnova
- Max-Born-Institut, 12489 Berlin, Germany
- Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany.
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6
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Xu L, Tutunnikov I, Prior Y, Averbukh I. Optimization of the double-laser-pulse scheme for enantioselective orientation of chiral molecules. J Chem Phys 2022; 157:034304. [DOI: 10.1063/5.0092114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a comprehensive study of enantioselective orientation of chiral molecules excited by a pair of delayed cross-polarized femtosecond laser pulses. We show that by optimizing the pulses' parameters, a significant (~ 10%) degree of enantioselective orientation can be achieved at zero and at five kelvin rotational temperatures. This study suggests a set of reasonable experimental conditions for inducing and measuring strong enantioselective orientation. The strong enantioselective orientation and the wide availability of the femtosecond laser systems required for the proposed experiments may open new avenues for discriminating and separating molecular enantiomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Xu
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel
| | - Ilia Tutunnikov
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel
| | | | - Ilya Averbukh
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel
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7
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Liang H, Peng LY. Upper bound for permanent orientation of symmetric-top molecule induced by linearly polarized electric fields. J Chem Phys 2022; 156:204302. [DOI: 10.1063/5.0094115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Many symmetric top molecules are among the most important polyatomic molecules. The orientation of a polyatomic molecule is a challenging task, which is at the heart of its quantum control and crucial for many subsequent applications in various fields. Most recent studies focus on the temporary orientation achieved via the quantum revivals. In this study, we reveal the underlying mechanism behind the observed permanent orientation and discuss strategies for a higher degree of permanent orientation. By a careful analysis of symmetry and unitary, it is possible to estimate an upper bound of [Formula: see text] for a molecule in its thermal equilibrium states using a linear field. We show that this bound can be reached for an oblate symmetric-top molecule in the high temperature limit. To demonstrate different possible schemes, we take CHCl3 as an example. Simply with designed microwave fields, one can permanently orient CHCl3 with a degree of ⟨cos θ⟩ ≈ 0.045. We show that this value can be significantly increased by adding one or more pump pulses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Mesoscopic Physics and Frontiers Science Center for Nano-optoelectronics, School of Physics, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Liang-You Peng
- State Key Laboratory for Mesoscopic Physics and Frontiers Science Center for Nano-optoelectronics, School of Physics, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Quantum Matter, 100871 Beijing, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, 030006 Taiyuan, China
- Peking University Yangtze Delta Institute of Optoelectronics, 226010 Nantong, Jiangsu, China
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8
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Abstract
Microwave three-wave mixing allows for enantiomer-selective excitation of randomly oriented chiral molecules into rotational states with different energy. The random orientation of molecules is reflected in the degeneracy of the rotational spectrum with respect to the orientational quantum number M and reduces, if not accounted for, enantiomer-selectivity. Here, we show how to design pulse sequences with maximal enantiomer-selectivity from an analysis of the M-dependence of the Rabi frequencies associated with rotational transitions induced by resonant microwave drives. We compare different excitations schemes for rotational transitions and show that maximal enantiomer-selectivity at a given rotational temperature is achieved for synchronized three-wave mixing with circularly polarized fields.
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9
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Zhou Z, Min C, Ma H, Zhang Y, Xie X, Zhan H, Yuan X. Time-varying orbital angular momentum in tight focusing of ultrafast pulses. OPTICS EXPRESS 2022; 30:13416-13433. [PMID: 35472954 DOI: 10.1364/oe.449351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light has important applications in a variety of fields, including optical communication, quantum information, super-resolution microscopic imaging, particle trapping, and others. However, the temporal properties of OAM in ultrafast pulses and in the evolution process of spin-orbit coupling has yet to be revealed. In this work, we theoretically studied the spatiotemporal property of time-varying OAM in the tightly focused field of ultrafast light pulses. The focusing of an incident light pulse composed of two time-delayed femtosecond sub-pulses with the same OAM but orthogonal spin states is investigated, and the ultrafast dynamicsa time delay of OAM variation during the focusing process driven by the spin-orbit coupling is visualized. Temporal properties of three typical examples, including formation, increase, and transformation of topological charge are investigated to reveal the non-uniform evolutions of phase singularities, local topological charges, self-torques, and time-varying OAM per photon. This work could deepen the understanding of spin-orbit coupling in time domain and promote many promising applications such as ultrafast OAM modulation, laser micromachining, high harmonic generation, and manipulation of molecules and nanostructures.
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10
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Amani P, Milner AA, Milner V. Selective rotational control in mixtures of molecular super-rotors. J Chem Phys 2021; 155:124201. [PMID: 34598555 DOI: 10.1063/5.0062051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We demonstrate experimentally a method of all-optical selective rotational control in gas mixtures. Using an optical centrifuge-an intense laser pulse whose linear polarization rotates at an accelerated rate, we simultaneously excite two different molecular species to two different rotational frequencies of choice. The new level of control is achieved by shaping the centrifuge spectrum according to the rotational spectra of the centrifuged molecules. The shaped optical centrifuge releases one molecular species earlier than the other, therefore separating their target rotational frequencies and corresponding rotational states. The technique is applicable to molecules with non-overlapping rotational spectra in the frequency range of interest and will expand the utility of rotational control in the studies of the effects of molecular rotation on collisions and chemical reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedram Amani
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T-1Z1, Canada
| | - Alexander A Milner
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T-1Z1, Canada
| | - Valery Milner
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T-1Z1, Canada
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11
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Milner AA, Steinitz U, Averbukh IS, Milner V. Observation of Mechanical Faraday Effect in Gaseous Media. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2021; 127:073901. [PMID: 34459657 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.127.073901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We report the experimental observation of the rotation of the linear polarization of light propagating in a gas of fast-spinning molecules (molecular superrotors). In the observed effect, related to Fermi's prediction of "polarization drag" by a rotating medium, the vector of linear polarization tilts in the direction of molecular rotation. We use an optical centrifuge to bring the molecules in a gas sample to ultrafast unidirectional rotation and measure the polarization drag angles of the order of 10^{-4} rad (with an experimental uncertainty about 10^{-6} rad) over the propagation distance of the order of 1 mm in a number of gases under ambient conditions. We demonstrate an all-optical control of the drag magnitude and direction and investigate the robustness of the mechanical Faraday effect with respect to molecular collisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A Milner
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T-1Z1, Canada
| | - Uri Steinitz
- Soreq Nuclear Research Centre, Yavne 8180000, Israel
- AMOS and Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Ilya Sh Averbukh
- AMOS and Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Valery Milner
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T-1Z1, Canada
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12
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Saribal C, Owens A, Yachmenev A, Küpper J. Detecting handedness of spatially oriented molecules by Coulomb explosion imaging. J Chem Phys 2021; 154:071101. [PMID: 33607914 DOI: 10.1063/5.0029792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a new technique for detecting chirality in the gas phase: Chiral molecules are spatially aligned in three dimensions by a moderately strong elliptically polarized laser field. The momentum distributions of the charged fragments, produced by laser-induced Coulomb explosion, show distinct three-dimensional orientation of the enantiomers when the laser polarization ellipse is rotated by a non-right angle with respect to the norm vector of the detector plane. The resulting velocity-map-image asymmetry is directly connected to the enantiomeric excess and to the absolute handedness of molecules. We demonstrated our scheme computationally for camphor (C10H16O), with its methyl groups as marker fragments, using quantum-mechanical simulations geared toward experimentally feasible conditions. Computed sensitivity to enantiomeric excess is comparable to other modern chiroptical approaches. The present method can be readily optimized for any chiral molecule with an anisotropic polarizability tensor by adjusting the polarization state and intensity profile of the laser field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cem Saribal
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alec Owens
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Andrey Yachmenev
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jochen Küpper
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
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13
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Qi H, Lian Z, Fei D, Chen Z, Hu Z. Manipulation of matter with shaped-pulse light field and its applications. ADVANCES IN PHYSICS: X 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/23746149.2021.1949390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia Qi
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Advanced Light Field and Modern Medical Treatment Science and Technology Innovation Center of Jilin Province, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhenzhong Lian
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Dehou Fei
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhou Chen
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Advanced Light Field and Modern Medical Treatment Science and Technology Innovation Center of Jilin Province, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhan Hu
- Advanced Light Field and Modern Medical Treatment Science and Technology Innovation Center of Jilin Province, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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14
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MacPhail-Bartley I, Wasserman WW, Milner AA, Milner V. Laser control of molecular rotation: Expanding the utility of an optical centrifuge. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2020; 91:045122. [PMID: 32357749 DOI: 10.1063/1.5140358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Since its invention in 1999, the optical centrifuge has become a powerful tool for controlling molecular rotation and studying molecular dynamics and molecular properties at extreme levels of rotational excitation. This technique has been applied to a variety of molecular species, from simple linear molecules to symmetric and asymmetric tops, to molecular ions and chiral enantiomers. Properties of isolated ultrafast rotating molecules, the so-called molecular superrotors, have been investigated, as well as their collisions with one another and the interaction with external fields. The ability of an optical centrifuge to spin a particular molecule of interest depends on both the molecular structure and the parameters of the centrifuge laser pulse. An interplay between these two factors dictates the utility of an optical centrifuge in any specific application. Here, we discuss the strategy of assessing and adjusting the properties of the centrifuge to those of the molecular rotors and describe two practical examples of optical centrifuges with very different characteristics, implemented experimentally in our laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian MacPhail-Bartley
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T-1Z1, Canada
| | - Walter W Wasserman
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T-1Z1, Canada
| | - Alexander A Milner
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T-1Z1, Canada
| | - Valery Milner
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T-1Z1, Canada
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15
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Yachmenev A, Onvlee J, Zak E, Owens A, Küpper J. Field-Induced Diastereomers for Chiral Separation. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2019; 123:243202. [PMID: 31922822 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.123.243202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A novel approach for the state-specific enantiomeric enrichment and the spatial separation of enantiomers is presented. Our scheme utilizes techniques from strong-field laser physics-specifically an optical centrifuge in conjunction with a static electric field-to create a chiral field with defined handedness. Molecular enantiomers experience unique rotational excitation dynamics, and this can be exploited to spatially separate the enantiomers using electrostatic deflection. Notably, the rotational-state-specific enantiomeric enhancement and its handedness are fully controllable. To explain these effects, the conceptual framework of field-induced diastereomers of a chiral molecule is introduced and computationally demonstrated through robust quantum-mechanical simulations on the prototypical chiral molecule propylene oxide (C_{3}H_{6}O), for which ensembles with an enantiomeric excess of up to 30% were obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey Yachmenev
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
- Center for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jolijn Onvlee
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Emil Zak
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alec Owens
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
- Center for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT London, United Kingdom
| | - Jochen Küpper
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
- Center for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Physics, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
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16
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Leibscher M, Giesen TF, Koch CP. Principles of enantio-selective excitation in three-wave mixing spectroscopy of chiral molecules. J Chem Phys 2019; 151:014302. [DOI: 10.1063/1.5097406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Monika Leibscher
- Theoretische Physik, Universität Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Straße 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Thomas F. Giesen
- Experimentalphysik, Universität Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Straße 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
| | - Christiane P. Koch
- Theoretische Physik, Universität Kassel, Heinrich-Plett-Straße 40, 34132 Kassel, Germany
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17
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Milner AA, Fordyce JAM, MacPhail-Bartley I, Wasserman W, Milner V, Tutunnikov I, Averbukh IS. Controlled Enantioselective Orientation of Chiral Molecules with an Optical Centrifuge. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2019; 122:223201. [PMID: 31283279 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.122.223201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
We report on the first experimental demonstration of enantioselective rotational control of chiral molecules with a laser field. In our experiments, two enantiomers of propylene oxide are brought to accelerated unidirectional rotation by means of an optical centrifuge. Using Coulomb explosion imaging, we show that the centrifuged molecules acquire preferential orientation perpendicular to the plane of rotation, and that the direction of this orientation depends on the relative handedness of the enantiomer and the rotating centrifuge field. The observed effect is in agreement with theoretical predictions and is reproduced in numerical simulations of the centrifuge excitation followed by Coulomb explosion of the centrifuged molecules. The demonstrated technique opens new avenues in optical enantioselective control of chiral molecules with a plethora of potential applications in differentiation, separation, and purification of chiral mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander A Milner
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, V6T-1Z1 Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jordan A M Fordyce
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, V6T-1Z1 Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ian MacPhail-Bartley
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, V6T-1Z1 Vancouver, Canada
| | - Walter Wasserman
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, V6T-1Z1 Vancouver, Canada
| | - Valery Milner
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, V6T-1Z1 Vancouver, Canada
| | - Ilia Tutunnikov
- AMOS and Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 76100 Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ilya Sh Averbukh
- AMOS and Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, The Weizmann Institute of Science, 76100 Rehovot, Israel
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Lin K, Tutunnikov I, Qiang J, Ma J, Song Q, Ji Q, Zhang W, Li H, Sun F, Gong X, Li H, Lu P, Zeng H, Prior Y, Averbukh IS, Wu J. All-optical field-free three-dimensional orientation of asymmetric-top molecules. Nat Commun 2018; 9:5134. [PMID: 30510201 PMCID: PMC6277449 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07567-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Orientation and alignment of molecules by ultrashort laser pulses is crucial for a variety of applications and has long been of interest in physics and chemistry, with the special emphasis on stereodynamics in chemical reactions and molecular orbitals imaging. As compared to the laser-induced molecular alignment, which has been extensively studied and demonstrated, achieving molecular orientation is a much more challenging task, especially in the case of asymmetric-top molecules. Here, we report the experimental demonstration of all-optical field-free three-dimensional orientation of asymmetric-top molecules by means of phase-locked cross-polarized two-color laser pulse. This approach is based on nonlinear optical mixing process caused by the off-diagonal elements of the molecular hyperpolarizability tensor. It is demonstrated on SO2 molecules and is applicable to a variety of complex nonlinear molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, 200062, Shanghai, China
| | - Ilia Tutunnikov
- AMOS and Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Junjie Qiang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, 200062, Shanghai, China
| | - Junyang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, 200062, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiying Song
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, 200062, Shanghai, China
| | - Qinying Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, 200062, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenbin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, 200062, Shanghai, China
| | - Hanxiao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, 200062, Shanghai, China
| | - Fenghao Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, 200062, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaochun Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, 200062, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, 200062, Shanghai, China
| | - Peifen Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, 200062, Shanghai, China
| | - Heping Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, 200062, Shanghai, China
| | - Yehiam Prior
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, 200062, Shanghai, China.
- AMOS and Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Ilya Sh Averbukh
- AMOS and Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Jian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, 200062, Shanghai, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, 030006, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
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Prost E, Hertz E, Billard F, Lavorel B, Faucher O. Polarization-based tachometer for measuring spinning rotors. OPTICS EXPRESS 2018; 26:31839-31849. [PMID: 30650763 DOI: 10.1364/oe.26.031839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
We report on the polarization analysis of shortpulse ultraviolet radiation produced by third-harmonic generation in a gas of coherently spinning molecules. A pulse of twisted linear polarization imprints a unidirectional rotational motion to the molecules leading to an orientation of their rotational angular momenta. A second pulse, time-delayed with respect to the first one, circularly polarized in the plane of rotation of the molecules, acts as a driving field for third-harmonic generation. The angular momentum and energy conservation applied to this process foresees the generation of two Doppler-shifted circularly-polarized harmonics of opposite handedness. Our analysis reveals that spinning molecules enable the generation of a well polarized third-harmonic radiation exhibiting a high degree of ellipticity. Tracking the orientation of the latter allows a time-capture of the molecular axis direction from which the average angular velocity of the rotating molecules is inferred. This method provides a user-friendly polarization-based tachometer for measurement of the rotational speed of spinning nonlinear rotors.
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Owens A, Yachmenev A, Yurchenko SN, Küpper J. Climbing the Rotational Ladder to Chirality. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2018; 121:193201. [PMID: 30468590 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.121.193201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 09/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Molecular chirality is conventionally understood as space-inversion-symmetry breaking in the equilibrium structure of molecules. Less well known is that achiral molecules can be made chiral through extreme rotational excitation. Here, we theoretically demonstrate a clear strategy for generating rotationally induced chirality: An optical centrifuge rotationally excites the phosphine molecule (PH_{3}) into chiral cluster states that correspond to clockwise (R enantiomer) or anticlockwise (L enantiomer) rotation about axes almost coinciding with single P─H bonds. The application of a strong dc electric field during the centrifuge pulse favors the production of one rotating enantiomeric form over the other, creating dynamically chiral molecules with permanently oriented rotational angular momentum. This essential step toward characterizing rotationally induced chirality promises a fresh perspective on chirality as a fundamental aspect of nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alec Owens
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
- The Hamburg Center for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andrey Yachmenev
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
- The Hamburg Center for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sergei N Yurchenko
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT London, United Kingdom
| | - Jochen Küpper
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
- The Hamburg Center for Ultrafast Imaging, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Physics, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany
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Owens A, Yachmenev A, Küpper J. Coherent Control of the Rotation Axis of Molecular Superrotors. J Phys Chem Lett 2018; 9:4206-4209. [PMID: 29991265 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.8b01689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The control of ultrafast molecular rotational motion has benefited from the development of innovative techniques in strong-field laser physics. Here, we theoretically demonstrate a novel type of coherent control by inducing rotation of an asymmetric-top molecule about two different molecular axes. An optical centrifuge is applied to the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) molecule to create a molecular superrotor, an object performing ultrafast rotation about a well-defined axis. Using two distinct pulse envelopes for the optical centrifuge, we show that H2S can be excited along separate pathways of rotational states. This leads to stable rotation about two entirely different molecular axes while ensuring rotation is about the propagation direction of the centrifuge, i.e., the laboratory-fixed Z-axis. The presented scheme to control the angular momentum alignment of a molecule will, for instance, be useful in studies of molecule-molecule or molecule-surface scattering, especially due to the large amounts of energy associated with superrotors, which can even be controlled by changing the duration of the optical centrifuge pulse.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Owens
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science , Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY , Notkestraße 85 , 22607 Hamburg , Germany
- The Hamburg Center for Ultrafast Imaging , Universität Hamburg , Luruper Chaussee 149 , 22761 Hamburg , Germany
| | - A Yachmenev
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science , Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY , Notkestraße 85 , 22607 Hamburg , Germany
- The Hamburg Center for Ultrafast Imaging , Universität Hamburg , Luruper Chaussee 149 , 22761 Hamburg , Germany
| | - J Küpper
- Center for Free-Electron Laser Science , Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY , Notkestraße 85 , 22607 Hamburg , Germany
- The Hamburg Center for Ultrafast Imaging , Universität Hamburg , Luruper Chaussee 149 , 22761 Hamburg , Germany
- Department of Physics , Universität Hamburg , Luruper Chaussee 149 , 22761 Hamburg , Germany
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