1. CSIR, National Laser Centre, Meiring Naude Road, Gauteng, Pretoria, RSA 3. Institute of Quantum Electronics, ETH Zürich, Schafmattstrasse 16, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland 2. Klydon, Meiring Naude Road, Gauteng, Pretoria, RSA
Abstract:
We simulate adaptive feedback control to coherently shape a femtosecond infrared laser pulse by means of a 4f-spatial light modulator in order to selectively excite the rovibrational modes of a polyatomic molecule. We preferentially populate an arbitrarily chosen upper rovibrational level by only employing these tailored temporally shaped pulses. A second laser would then allow for mode selective chemistry to interact selectively with the excited population. Alternatively the excited molecules enhanced reactivity could be exploited for selective chemistry.