Quantum state selection of polar molecules: Alignment, orientation and conformational control

Frank Filsinger, Jochen Küpper, Gerard Meijer +5 more

Hiroyuki Shima, Tsuneyoshi Nakayama

Lotte Holmegaard, Jens Hedegaard Nielsen, Iftach Nevo +4 more

A strong inhomogeneous static electric field is used to spatially disperse a supersonic beam of polar molecules, according to their quantum state. We show that the molecules residing in the lowest-lying rotational states can be selected and used as targets for further experiments. As an illustration, we demonstrate an unprecedented degree of laser-induced one-dimensional alignment (cos;(2)theta_(2D)=0.97) and strong orientation of state-selected iodobenzene molecules. This method should enable experiments on pure samples of polar molecules in their rotational ground state, offering new opportunities in molecular science.

Silke Ospelkaus

Frank Filsinger, Jochen Küpper, Gerard Meijer +5 more

Supersonic beams of polar molecules are deflected using inhomogeneous electric fields. The quantum-state selectivity of the deflection is used to spatially separate molecules according to their quantum state. A detailed analysis of the deflection and the obtained quantum-state selection is presented. The rotational temperatures of the molecular beams are determined from the spatial beam profiles and are all approximately 1 K. Unprecedented degrees of laser-induced alignment (<cos2 theta2D>=0.972) and orientation of iodobenzene molecules are demonstrated when the state-selected samples are used. Such state-selected and oriented molecules provide unique possibilities for many novel experiments in chemistry and physics.

Amodsen Chotia