Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference

Chemistry in molecular traps

Misha Ivanov, Daniel R. Matusek, James S. Wright

Published Jun 7, 1996• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

Summary form only given. Use of the Stark shift in intense infrared laser fields to trap and align molecules has been proposed recently. For the ground state of a molecule the Stark shift in a low frequency laser field is negative. It increases in absolute value when the molecule approaches the center of the focal spot and peaks for molecular orientation parallel to the polarization of the electric field. We study the effect of Stark shift on the interaction of trapped molecules, in particular on the exchange reactions.

Related papers

Aligning and Trapping Molecules with Light

L. Kador

An alternative to matrix isolation, cold molecules can be trapped and aligned in vacuum by an intense infrared laser field according to theoretical considerations expounded recently. The method is based on the polarization of the molecules by the electric field of the light, which creates an attractive potential. If the polarizability of the molecules is anisotropic, the axis of highest polarizability will be aligned along the polarization direction of the laser.

Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English•Nov 17, 1995•1 citation

Electric-field-dependent dynamic polarizability and state-insensitive conditions for optical trapping of diatomic polar molecules

Svetlana Kotochigova, David P. DeMille

Selection of state-insensitive or ``magic'' trapping conditions with ultracold atoms or molecules, where pairs of internal states experience identical trapping potentials, brings substantial benefits to precision measurements and quantum computing schemes. Working at such conditions could ensure that the detrimental effects of inevitable inhomogeneities across an ultracold sample are significantly reduced. However, this aspect of confinement remains unexplored for ultracold polar molecules. Here, we present means to control the ac Stark shift of rotational states of ultracold diatomic polar molecules, when subjected to both trapping laser light and an external electric field. We show that both the strength and relative orientation of the two fields influence the trapping potential. In particular, we predict ``magic electric field strengths'' and a ``magic angle,'' where the Stark shift is independent of the dc external field for certain rotational states of the molecule.

arXiv:1008.3856•Physical Review A•Dec 30, 2010•59 citations

Elliptical polarization for molecular Stark shift compensation in deep optical traps

Till Rosenband, David Grimes, Kang-Kuen Ni

Σ molecules, the differential shift can be nulled by choice of elliptical polarization. When one component of the polarization vector is ±i2 times the orthogonal component, the light shift for a sublevel of excited rotational states ±approaches that of the ground state at high optical intensity. In this case, fluctuating trap intensity need not limit coherence between ground and excited rotational states.

arXiv:1804.01030•Optics Express•Jul 24, 2018•20 citations

Manipulation of molecules with electromagnetic fields

Mikhail Lemeshko, Roman V. Krems, John M. Doyle +1 more

The goal of the present article is to review the major developments that have led to the current understanding of molecule–field interactions and experimental methods for manipulating molecules with electromagnetic fields. Molecule–field interactions are at the core of several, seemingly distinct areas of molecular physics. This is reflected in the organisation of this article, which includes sections on field control of molecular beams, external field traps for cold molecules, control of molecular orientation and molecular alignment, manipulation of molecules by non-conservative forces, ultracold molecules and ultracold chemistry, controlled many-body phenomena, entanglement of molecules and dipole arrays, and stability of molecular systems in high-frequency super-intense laser fields. The article contains 852 references.

arXiv:1306.0912•Molecular Physics•Jun 14, 2013•283 citations

Measurement of the analogous Zeeman shift using a low-velocity intense source

Chang Yong Park, Chung Mok Lee, Eu Suk Oh +1 more

The energy shift of an atom due to its interaction with the oscillating electric field of an electromagnetic wave, or a laser light, is called the ac Stark shift. It has been studied both in the field of precision spectroscopy and atom optics. When the laser intensity is not constant spatially, its gradient gives rise to a dipole force. The force was used either to trap atoms in an optical trap or to reflect or guide atoms. We studied the ac Stark effect taking into account the fine structure of an alkali atom. We found that when the laser light is circularly polarized and properly detuned between the D1 and D2 transitions, the ac Stark shift can take the form of a pure Zeeman shift, hence the name analogous Zeeman shift.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Pacific Rim (CLEO-PR)•Jan 20, 2003•0 citations

Alignment and Trapping of Molecules in Intense Laser Fields

Břetislav Friedrich, Dudley R. Herschbach

The anisotropic interaction of the electric field vector of intense laser radiation with the dipole moment induced in a polarizable molecule by the laser field creates aligned pendular states. These are directional superpositions of field-free states, corresponding to oblate spheroidal wave functions, with eigenenergies that decrease with increasing field strength. We present calculations demonstrating the utility of these states for both laser alignment and spatial trapping of molecules.

Physical Review Letters•Jun 5, 1995•818 citations
Summary form only given. Use of the Stark shift in intense infrared laser fields to trap and align molecules has been proposed recently. For the ground state of a molecule the Stark shift in a low frequency laser field is negative. It increases in absolute value when the molecule approaches the center of the focal spot and peaks for molecular orientation parallel to the polarization of the electric field. We study the effect of Stark shift on the interaction of trapped molecules, in particular on the exchange reactions.
Selection of state-insensitive or ``magic'' trapping conditions with ultracold atoms or molecules, where pairs of internal states experience identical trapping potentials, brings substantial benefits to precision measurements and quantum computing schemes. Working at such conditions could ensure that the detrimental effects of inevitable inhomogeneities across an ultracold sample are significantly reduced. However, this aspect of confinement remains unexplored for ultracold polar molecules. Here, we present means to control the ac Stark shift of rotational states of ultracold diatomic polar molecules, when subjected to both trapping laser light and an external electric field. We show that both the strength and relative orientation of the two fields influence the trapping potential. In particular, we predict ``magic electric field strengths'' and a ``magic angle,'' where the Stark shift is independent of the dc external field for certain rotational states of the molecule.
The goal of the present article is to review the major developments that have led to the current understanding of molecule–field interactions and experimental methods for manipulating molecules with electromagnetic fields. Molecule–field interactions are at the core of several, seemingly distinct areas of molecular physics. This is reflected in the organisation of this article, which includes sections on field control of molecular beams, external field traps for cold molecules, control of molecular orientation and molecular alignment, manipulation of molecules by non-conservative forces, ultracold molecules and ultracold chemistry, controlled many-body phenomena, entanglement of molecules and dipole arrays, and stability of molecular systems in high-frequency super-intense laser fields. The article contains 852 references.
The energy shift of an atom due to its interaction with the oscillating electric field of an electromagnetic wave, or a laser light, is called the ac Stark shift. It has been studied both in the field of precision spectroscopy and atom optics. When the laser intensity is not constant spatially, its gradient gives rise to a dipole force. The force was used either to trap atoms in an optical trap or to reflect or guide atoms. We studied the ac Stark effect taking into account the fine structure of an alkali atom. We found that when the laser light is circularly polarized and properly detuned between the D1 and D2 transitions, the ac Stark shift can take the form of a pure Zeeman shift, hence the name analogous Zeeman shift.