The dependence of initial states on the excitation of NO molecules by chirped infrared laser pulses

Abstract

We study the effect of initial states on the chirping excitation of NO molecules in order to interpret recent experimental data. The results show that excitation is efficient when the probability density localizes along the polarization direction of the external field. Therefore, the thermal effect on the density distribution must be taken into account for the experimental case of 15 K. Furthermore, as the adiabatic limit is fully satisfied, the interference pattern of excited state populations disappears. This becomes a limiting factor under experimental conditions. We also find that excitation can be enhanced significantly when the pulse intensity is increased to fit the adiabatic criterion.