Field-free long-lived alignment of molecules in extreme rotational states

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel two-dimensional optical centrifuge that aligns molecules in extreme rotational states along a fixed axis, enhancing the longevity of molecular alignment in dense media for potential applications.

Contribution

The introduction of a two-dimensional optical centrifuge that achieves high rotational excitation and stable molecular alignment along a fixed axis, surpassing conventional methods.

Findings

Achieves long-lived molecular alignment in dense media.

Enhances rotational excitation beyond traditional centrifuges.

Provides a new tool for studying aligned molecular ensembles.

Abstract

We introduce a new optical tool - a "two-dimensional optical centrifuge", capable of aligning molecules in extreme rotational states. Unlike the conventional centrifuge, which confines the molecules in the plane of their rotation, its two-dimensional version aligns the molecules along a well-defined axis, similarly to the effect of a single linearly polarized laser pulse, but at a much higher level of rotational excitation. The increased robustness of ultra-high rotational states with respect to collisions results in a longer life time of the created alignment in dense media, offering new possibilities for studying and utilizing aligned molecular ensembles under ambient conditions.