Open AccessLight-Induced Ultrafast Molecular Dynamics: From Photochemistry to Optochemistry
Author(s) -
Hui Li,
Xiaochun Gong,
Hongcheng Ni,
Peifen Lu,
Xiao Luo,
Jin Wen,
Youjun Yang,
Xuhong Qian,
Zhenrong Sun,
Jian Wu
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
the journal of physical chemistry letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.563
H-Index - 203
ISSN - 1948-7185
DOI - 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c01119
Subject(s) - ultrashort pulse , dynamics (music) , photochemistry , biophysics , chemistry , chemical physics , physics , optics , biology , laser , acoustics
By precisely controlling the waveform of ultrashort laser fields, electronic and nuclear motions in molecules can be steered on extremely short time scales, even in the attosecond regime. This new research field, termed "optochemistry", presents the light field in the time-frequency domain and opens new avenues for tailoring molecular reactions beyond photochemistry. This Perspective summarizes the ultrafast laser techniques employed in recent years for manipulating the molecular reactions based on waveform control of intense ultrashort laser pulses, where the chemical reactions can take place in isolated molecules, clusters, and various nanosystems. The underlying mechanisms for the coherent control of molecular dynamics are explicitly explored. Challenges and opportunities coexist in the field of optochemistry. Advanced technologies and theoretical modeling are still being pursued, with great prospects for controlling chemical reactions with unprecedented spatiotemporal precision.