MOLECULAR OPTICS IN AN INTENSE LASER FIELD - A ROUTE TO NANOSCALE MATERIAL DESIGN

It is shown that molecules can be focused in the gradient of a moderat ely intense laser field under standard molecular-beam conditions. Simp le relationships are given for the focal length and the minimum molecu lar beam size. Both can be controlled and varied over a wide range by choice of the molecular beam and field parameters. Molecular focusing is proposed as a route to nanoscale processing (deposition, etching, d oping, etc.) of materials. Molecular trapping is obtained as the stron g interaction limit of a general ''molecular optics'' scheme.