The control of chemical reactivity
using laser pulses has been a focus for the chemical physics community
since the laser was developed forty years ago. Recently a string
of experiments have demonstrated quantum control using shaped laser pulses.
Common to each of these experiments is the use of the closed-loop algorithm
to determine the optimal pulse shape for a particular goal. The closed-loop
concept introduced into the quantum control field by the Rabitz group in
1992. In the closed-loop experiment the outcome of the interaction
of a series of shaped laser pulses with a molecule is fed directly into
a computer to determine the next series of pulses that will interact with
the molecule to produce the desired result. In this experiment, the
molecule directs the interactive process that finds the optimal laser pulse.
Most recently the Levis group demonstrated the selective cleavage and rearrangement
of organic molecules using shaped, strong field laser pulses(Science,
292, 709, 2001). More information regarding these investigations
can be found in publications link.