Laser control of reaction paths in ion–molecule reactions

Abstract

Ion–molecule reactions are characterized by long-range dipole moments which can be used to control and manipulate their reaction path in the presence of intense laser fields. We present here an analytic model for the control of such reaction paths, including the effect of an intense laser field on the scattering and tunneling probability. We illustrate such effects for the Li⁺+CH₄ and reverse reaction using ab initio methods to calculate the reaction path and the permanent dipole moment of this system.

Acknowledgements

We thank Professor P. Corkum (NRC, Ottawa) and Professor F. Krausz (Vienna) for discussions concerning absolute phases of laser pulses. One of us (CFM) acknowledges the generous support of the Killam Trusts and of Professor Russell J. Boyd (Dalhousie University) during the last phase of this research.