Project A5

Circular dichroism shows up in the absorption spectra of chiral molecules or in the polarization of transmitted light but also in the ion yield after laser excitation. Any means to change the molecular structure or to influence the effective strength of the electric and magnetic dipole moments should therefore be reflected in the ion yield. From an ultrafast time dependent perspective, structural changes can be induced and controlled by vibrational wavepacket motion. Effective transition moments may be changed in sequential photon absorption processes or by employing non-perturbative light matter interaction regimes. These approaches will be investigated with the help of ultrafast coherent control techniques.