ISSN:
1089-7690
Source:
AIP Digital Archive
Topics:
Physics
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
We describe a technique for preparation of molecules in single ||m|| levels involving saturated laser optical pumping on molecular P, R, and Q transitions. This technique is not limited to small rotational quantum numbers j. It allows the determination of the populations of ||m|| levels for arbitrary distribution functions f ( j,m) or alternatively, the determination of all moments of f ( j,m). In principle, this method is able to completely determine the angular distribution of j vectors. Experimental verification of the high ||m||-state purity achieved in Na2 supersonic beams, as well as of inherent limitations due to hyperfine interaction is provided. For illustration, experimental data on laser-induced alignment, the dependence of the flow induced molecular alignment, and on Δm-propensity rules in differential rotationally inelastic scattering are presented.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.451655
