Dynamics of localized wave packets of rotational states of a molecule in a strong laser field

Numerical simulations are performed to examine the rotational dynamics of a molecule in a strong laser field when the molecular axis is initially oriented in a certain direction. The results obtained by solving the quantum-mechanical problem are compared with those computed in the framework of classical mechanics. It is found that certain characteristics of rotational motion cannot be described by classical theory, particularly for light molecules. It is demonstrated that the axis of a heteronuclear molecule can be reversed by tunneling.