Sequential STIRAP-based control of the HCN -> CNH isomerization

We have examined the use of successive stimulated Raman adiabatic passage ( STIRAP) excitations to control the isomerization reaction HCN --> CNH. We s how that this method generates virtually complete transfer from an arbitrar y initial vibrational state of HCN to an arbitrary final vibrational state of CNH. This result is valid even in the presence of a substantial number o f background states that have non-zero dipole transition moments among them selves and with the subset of STIRAP states, and when pairs of background s tates are in resonance with the applied field. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevi er Science B.V.