Dynamic Stark Control of Torsional Motion by a Pair of Laser Pulses

The torsional motion of a molecule composed of two substituted benzene rings, linked by a single bond, is coherently controlled by a pair of strong (3 x 10(13) W cm(-2)), nonresonant (800 nm) 200-fs-long laser pulses-both linearly polarized perpendicular to the single-bond axis. If the second pulse is sent at the time when the two benzene rings rotate toward (away from) each other the amplitude of the torsion is strongly enhanced (reduced). The torsional motion persists for more than 150 ps corresponding to approximately 120 torsional oscillations. Our calculations show that the key to control is the strong transient modification of the natural torsional potential by the laser-induced dynamic Stark effect.