Carrier envelope phase effects in photofragmentation: Orientation versus alignment

The optically induced fragmentation of deuterium chloride ions (DCl⁺) has been investigated by means of computer simulation within the Schrödinger wave-function formalism for three lowest ²gV electronic states coupled by IR-laser pulse with 34.6 fs duration. We demonstrate that the dependence of dissociation yields as function of the carrier envelope phase (CEP) of few-cycle laser pulses can be fundamentally different (2π or π periodicity) for oriented and aligned ions. To achieve a deep insight in mutual electronic nuclear dynamics we investigate the time dependence of fragmentation yields and vibrational populations as well as the space-time representation of electronic wave function probability dynamics for few selected cases. Ultimately we suggest an approach for distinguishing oriented from aligned molecular ensembles. Further-more the current concept provides access to directional product ion beams (D⁺ or/and Cl⁺) by proper selection of the CEP.