Strong impact of light induced conical intersections on the spectrum of diatomic molecules

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that laser-induced conical intersections significantly influence the spectrum of diatomic molecules, enabling control over molecular dynamics through laser parameters.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of light-induced conical intersections in diatomic molecules and explores their impact on rovibronic spectra and controllability.

Findings

Light-induced CIs strongly couple rovibronic motions.

Numerical calculations show pronounced spectral effects.

Laser parameters can tune the position and strength of CIs.

Abstract

We show that dressing of diatomic molecules by running laser waves gives rise to conical intersections (CIs). Due to presence of such CIs, the rovibronic molecular motions are strongly coupled. A pronounced impact of the CI on the spectrum of $Na_2$ molecule is demonstrated via numerical calculation for weak and moderate laser intensity, and an experiment is suggested on this basis. The position of the light induced CI and the strength of its non-adiabatic couplings can be chosen by changing the frequency and intensity of the used running laser wave. This offers new possibilities to control the photo-induced rovibronic molecular dynamics.