Quantum control of alignment and orientation of molecules by optimized laser pulses Original Research Article

We present a method for designing laser pulses to control the alignment and orientation of polar molecules. Expressions for the optimal laser pulse are derived using optimal control theory within the semiclassical molecule–radiation field interactions. The optimization method is applied to the alignment and orientation of carbon monoxide to demonstrate its effectiveness. The results obtained by using this method is compared with those obtained using the analytical pulse-control method of Dion et al. (Chem. Phys. Lett. 302 (1999) 215). The control mechanism is explained in terms of the rovibrational wave packets created by optimized pulses.