Abstract

Laser induced molecular alignment on slow and fast time scales is attracting significant attention. Various applications based on the time-dependent alignment of molecules were suggested [1] and demonstrated, ranging from optical gating and alignment-dependent strong field ionization to molecular phase modulators for the compression of ultrashort light pulses[2]. We have experimentally demonstrated selective alignment of close molecular species, isotopes and nuclear spin isomers[3], and more recently we discussed unidirectional rotation induced by the application of two ultrafast pulses[4].

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