Analysis and Control of Ultrafast Photoinduced Reactions

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Dynamical processes in molecules, such as bond shaking, breaking, or making, occur on timescales from pico- to femtoseconds. The emergence of fast laser sources and real-time observation techniques like pump-probe spectroscopy has enabled direct insights into these processes initiated by light. Concurrently, advanced computational methods for modeling the dynamics of photoexcited molecular systems have bridged the gap between theoretical descriptions and experimental observations of ultrafast dynamics. This convergence has led to the idea of not only analyzing but also controlling molecular dynamics in real time through specially designed light fields. Inspired by theoretical concepts for influencing molecular wave packet motion with simple electromagnetic field sequences, experiments have progressed toward the practical realization of arbitrarily shaped laser pulses. This advancement has culminated in the active feedback control of complex systems, allowing for the determination of chemical reaction outcomes and retrieval of specific information about chosen dynamical pathways. The book illustrates this vital research field, covering a range of molecular systems with increasing complexity while showcasing the integration of experimental and theoretical approaches. After an introductory chapter, it explores small isolated molecules in the gas phase, progresses to more complex systems in vacuum, and finally discusses small mole