Mixed-field orientation of a thermal ensemble of linear polar molecules

Abstract

We present a theoretical study of the impact of an electrostatic field combined with nonresonant linearly polarized laser pulses on the rotational dynamics of a thermal ensemble of linear molecules. We solve the time-dependent Schrödinger equation within the rigid rotor approximation for several rotational states. Using the carbonyl sulfide (OCS) molecule as a prototype, the mixed- field orientation of a thermal sample is analyzed in detail for experimentally accessible static field strengths and laser pulses. We demonstrate that for a characteristic fi eld con guration used in current mixed- field orientation experiments, a signi cant orientation is obtained for rotational temperatures below 0.7 K as well as using stronger dc fi elds.