Photon polarization effects on quantum control of isomerization of hydrogen cyanide

Quantum control of isomerization of hydrogen cyanide by using two linearly polarized laser pulses as the controlling variables is theoretically studie d. The time evolution of wavepackets and the population changes of eigensta tes are calculated. The mechanism of isomerization is analyzed in terms of simultaneous and sequential processes. It is shown that the application of two linearly polarized laser pulses shortens the reaction time compared wit h the case in which only one linearly polarized laser pulse is used. The ef fectiveness of using two optimized, linearly polarized laser pulses is disc ussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.