Sample interview questions: Explain the concept of coherent control of molecular dynamics in atomic physics and its relevance.
Sample answer:
Coherent Control of Molecular Dynamics
Coherent control of molecular dynamics involves manipulating the wavefunction of a molecule to steer its evolution. It relies on femtosecond laser pulses, which are sequences of short, intense laser pulses that can excite and control the electronic and nuclear motion of molecules.
By tailoring the timing, phase, and polarization of the laser pulses, it is possible to induce specific quantum transitions in the molecule. This can lead to precise control of the molecular structure, dynamics, and reactivity.
Relevance
Coherent control has wide-ranging applications in atomic physics, including:
- Quantum simulations: Simulating complex molecular systems to study reaction pathways, energy transfer, and quantum entanglement.
- Quantum computing: Exploiting the coherent manipulation of molecular systems for qubits in qua… Read full answer