Laser-induced ultrafast coherent dynamics

The events taking place in the RCs within the timescale of ps and sub-ps ranges usually involve vibrational relaxation, internal conversion, and photo-induced electron and energy transfers. It is important to note that in order to observe such ultrafast processes, ultrashort pulse laser spectroscopic techniques are often employed. In such cases, from the uncertainty principle AEAt Ti/2, one can see that a number of states can be coherently (or simultaneously) excited. In this case, the observed time-resolved spectra contain the information of the dynamics of both populations and coherences (or phases) of the system. Due to the dynamical contribution of coherences, the quantum beat is often observed in the fs time-resolved experiments. 

Figure 6.10 Ultrafast efficient switching in the five-state system via SPODS based on multipulse sequences from sinusoidal phase modulation (PL). The shaped laser pulse shown in (a) results from complete forward design of the control field. Frame (b) shows die induced bare state population dynamics. After preparation of the resonant subsystem in a state of maximum electronic coherence by the pre-pulse, the optical phase jump of = —7r/2 shifts die main pulse in-phase with the induced charge oscillation. Therefore, the interaction energy is minimized, resulting in the selective population of the lower dressed state /), as seen in the dressed state population dynamics in (d) around t = —50 fs. Due to the efficient energy splitting of the dressed states, induced in the resonant subsystem by the main pulse, the lower dressed state is shifted into resonance widi die lower target state 3) (see frame (c) around t = 0). As a result, 100% of the population is transferred nonadiabatically to this particular target state, which is selectively populated by the end of the pulse.

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