Researchers from the University of Leipzig, Germany, and the University of British Columbia, Canada, have explored a novel method for controlling molecular rotation using an optical centrifuge. This technique could have significant implications for various fields, including energy research and molecular engineering.
In their study, the team, led by Dr. J. M. García-Garrido and Professor V. Milner, investigated the use of an optical centrifuge—a laser pulse with a rotating linear polarization—to control molecular rotation in situations where the traditional rigid-rotor approximation fails due to the coupling between vibrational and rotational molecular movements. The researchers found that the centrifuge field can effectively excite high rotational states while keeping the vibrational spread relatively low. This is in contrast to the use of a linearly polarized Gaussian pulse, which, despite achieving comparable rotational excitation, results in a substantial broadening of the vibrational wavepacket.
The optical centrifuge method offers a more precise control over molecular rotation, which could be beneficial in various energy-related applications. For instance, in molecular energy storage systems, precise control over molecular rotation could enhance the efficiency of energy storage and retrieval processes. Additionally, this technique could be used in molecular engineering to design materials with specific rotational properties, potentially leading to the development of new energy materials.
The study, titled “Rotational excitation of molecules in the regime of strong ro-vibrational coupling: Comparison between an optical centrifuge and a transform-limited pulse,” was published in the Journal of Chemical Physics. The research provides a theoretical framework for understanding the dynamics of molecular rotation under strong ro-vibrational coupling, paving the way for future experimental work in this area.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.