ELECTRON CONTROL IN PHOTODISSOCIATION BY 2-COLOR MULTIPHOTON PROCESSES

Numerical solutions of coupled time-dependent Schrodinger equations fo r multiphoton excitation of the Cl-2 molecule are used to illustrate t he principle of electron control in photodissociation. Thus using a sy mmetry breaking laser-induced interference between two multiphoton pat hways which produce isoenergy states of different symmetry, we have sh own that it is possible to separate atomic fragments with different el ectron configurations. Laser alignment by rotational pumping at high i ntensity enhances the separation of the products. Temperature effects are shown to destroy the asymmetry or anisotropies in the angular dist ributions which are essential to the separation of the distinct photof ragments.