Abstract

It is commonly believed that when an atom/molecule undergoes excitation by a broadband laser pulse, all transitions (with sufficient oscillator strength) that overlap with the laser bandwidth become excited. The degree of excitation of an individual transition of the atom/molecule depends both upon the Rabi-frequency, and the nature of the optical transitions overlapped by laser bandwidth.^[1] Here, however, we demonstrate that a broadband frequency modulated laser pulse can selectively excite (or supress) transitions that fall within the pulse spectrum. In addition, we report on enhanced population transfer in stimulated emission pumping provided by frequency modulated laser pulses. The observed selectivity and enhanced population transfer is due to the adiabatic nature of the excitation process.

© 1992 IQEC