Switched wave packets: a route to nonperturbative quantum control

Phys Rev Lett. 2003 Jun 6;90(22):223001. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.90.223001. Epub 2003 Jun 4.

Abstract

The dynamic Stark effect due to a strong nonresonant but nonionizing laser field provides a route to quantum control via the creation of novel superposition states. We consider the creation of a field-free "switched" wave packet through adiabatic turn-on and sudden turn-off of a strong dynamic Stark interaction. There are two limiting cases for such wave packets. The first is a Raman-type coupling, illustrated by the creation of field-free molecular axis alignment. An experimental demonstration is given. The second case is that of dipole-type coupling, illustrated by the creation of charge localization in an array of quantum wells.