Quantum dynamics of a diatomic molecule under chirped laser pulses

Abstract

The photodissociation probability of a diatomic molecule is usually very small even under a strong field due to its anharmonicity. However, the progress in laser technology provides a chirped laser pulse to lower the threshold of the dissociation intensity. We investigate the quantum dynamics of a diatomic molecule under such a kind of pulse. It is found that there is a significant dissociation probability at moderate intensity for a diatomic molecule under a chirped pulse. The quantum dissociation probability is found to be suppressed with respect to the classical one for intensities above the dissociation threshold. Therefore the chirped pulse can efficiently dissociate a diatomic molecule.