Extracting Information from Adaptive Control Experiments

Abstract

periments can reveal the pulse features responsible for control and also the underlying molecular dynamics. In this article we review attempts to extract information from optical control experiments using adaptive learning algorithms to search the available parameter space, and we discuss how these kinds of experiments can be used to achieve and understand multiphoton optical control.

Control of Nuclear Dynamics with Strong Ultrashort Laser Pulses

“…Several control schemes have been described and implemented. − Adaptive approaches (often using a learning algorithm in combination with a pulse shaper) have been used to control molecular dynamics. Interpreting the mechanism underlying control in closed loop experiments is challenging although possible with the aid of ab initio electronic structure and quantum dynamics calculations. − The complementary approach is to implement control with a particular mechanism in mind, based on a detailed understanding of the molecular potential energy surfaces involved. The work described in this manuscript belongs to the latter category and uses a strong IR pulse to change the evolution of a nuclear wave packet, whereas key parameters of the control pulse (timing, intensity and duration) are systematically varied.…”

Controlling the femtosecond laser-driven transformation of dicyclopentadiene into cyclopentadiene

“…Over the past decade, photo-fragmentation control has been illustrated for quite a few systems through the detection and interpretation of patterns in molecular fragmentation using an adaptive approach of ultrafast laser pulse shaping techniques [1-7]. Often, however, the final pulse shapes in such adaptive approaches were not found to be globally optimized [2,3,8,9].…”