Wavelength dependence of electron localization in the laser-driven dissociation of H$_2^+$

TL;DR

This study explores how laser wavelength influences electron localization during H$_2^+$ dissociation, revealing that mid-infrared pulses can control electron position with minimal ionization, advancing understanding of laser-molecule interactions.

Contribution

It demonstrates wavelength-dependent control of electron localization in H$_2^+$ dissociation using few-cycle mid-infrared pulses, highlighting a new method for manipulating molecular dissociation asymmetry.

Findings

Mid-infrared pulses effectively localize electrons at dissociating nuclei.

Wavelength variation significantly affects dissociation asymmetry.

Phase-shift in asymmetry linked to population transfer at one-photon coupling point.

Abstract

We theoretically investigate the laser wavelength dependence of asymmetric dissociation of H$_2^+$. It is found that the electron localization in molecular dissociation is significantly manipulated by varying the wavelength of the driving field. Through creating a strong nuclear vibration in the laser-molecular interaction, our simulations demonstrate that the few-cycle mid-infrared pulse can effectively localize the electron at one of the dissociating nuclei with weak ionization. Moreover, we show that the observed phase-shift of the dissociation asymmetry is attributed to the different population transfers by the remaining fields after the internuclear distances reach the one-photon coupling point.