Attosecond control of electron dynamics in carbon monoxide

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates precise control over electron dynamics in CO molecules on attosecond timescales using tailored laser pulses, combining experimental observations with theoretical modeling.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach for steering electronic motion in multi-electron systems through laser waveform control, supported by ab initio calculations.

Findings

High directional control of C+ and O+ fragment emission.

Laser-induced population transfer influences dissociation pathways.

Experimental results align with theoretical models.

Abstract

Laser pulses with stable electric field waveforms establish the opportunity to achieve coherent control on attosecond timescales. We present experimental and theoretical results on the steering of electronic motion in a multi-electron system. A very high degree of light-waveform control over the directional emission of C+ and O+ fragments from the dissociative ionization of CO was observed. Ab initio based model calculations reveal contributions to the control related to the ionization and laser-induced population transfer between excited electronic states of CO+ during dissociation.