Coherent control of a resonance lifetime with laser pulses

Abstract

Quantum control of the lifetime of the Br2(B, v′=35)-Ne ground van der Waals resonance is investigated theoretically by creating coherent superpositions of v′-1 resonances overlapping with the v′ resonance. This control scheme exploits the quantum interference occurring between the overlapping resonances, which is controlled by varying the width of the laser pulse creating the superposition state. For v′=35 the v′ resonance overlaps more strongly and with a higher number of v′-1 resonances than in the previously studied v′=27 case. It is found that as a consequence of this stronger overlapping regime, the effects of control over the resonance lifetime become more intense.