Classical theory of the molecule alignment in a laser field

In the classical mechanics framework the solution is given for the problem of the two-atomic molecule alignment in a field of linearly polarised laser pulse. The numerical results are presented for the Cl₂ molecule, together with the analytical results in the limit of a very short and strong laser pulse. The width of the angular distribution for molecular axes in field is demonstrated to depend on the radiation intensity as S ^?1/4, the alignment along the polarisation direction is possible as well as in the transversal direction. The analysis of some experimental data is given.