Shaping coherent excitation of atoms and molecules by a train of ultrashort laser pulses

TL;DR

This paper presents a method to coherently excite atoms and molecules using a train of ultrashort laser pulses, enabling selective state superpositions by tuning pulse repetition and control laser intensity.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mechanism combining pulse trains and weak control fields to selectively produce superpositions of atomic and molecular states.

Findings

Enhanced control over vibrational state superpositions in K2 molecules.

Suppressed undesired transitions while amplifying targeted ones.

Demonstrated feasibility with specific laser parameters.

Abstract

We propose a mechanism to produce a superposition of atomic and molecular states by a train of ultrashort laser pulses combined with weak control fields. By adjusting the repetition rate of the pump pulses and the intensity of the coupling laser, one can suppress a transition while simultaneously enhancing the desired transitions. As an example, various superpositions of vibrational states of the $K_2$ molecule are shown.