On the control of ionic fragment channels using femtosecond pulse excitation

We consider the excitation of a triatomic molecule with ultrashort laser pu lses. A first pulse prepares a vibrational wave packet in an excited electr onic state and a time-delayed second pulse ionizes the molecule. We show th at, depending on the delay time, different ionic fragment channels can be p opulated with high efficiency. Thus the present study consists of the appli cation of the Tannor-Rice-Kosloff control scheme to pump-probe ionization p rocesses. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.