| Abstract: | We review how moderately intense laser fields offer an approach to alignment of molecules [1]. In particular, molecules can be aligned along a given space fixed axis, forced to a plane, or their rotations about all three possible axes can be eliminated by choosing a linearly polarized, a circularly polarized, or an elliptically polarized alignment field, respectively. We show how molecules in the gas phase can be aligned by turning on the laser field either slowly (a few nanoseconds) or fast (a few picoseconds) with respect to the rotational period of the molecules. The role of the intensity of the laser field and the rotational temperature of the molecules is discussed. Before concluding we describe how aligned molecules enables control and selectivity in the interaction between polarized light and molecules.Received: 15 November 2002, Published online: 18 March 2003PACS: 33.15.Bh General molecular conformation and symmetry; stereochemistry - 32.80.Lg Mechanical effects of light on atoms, molecules, and ions - 33.80.Gj Diffuse spectra; predissociation, photodissociation - 33.80.Rv Multiphoton ionization and excitation to highly excited states (e.g. Rydberg states) - 34.50.Lf Chemical reactions, energy disposal, and angular distribution, as studied by atomic and molecular beams |
