The predissociation of a diatomic molecule after excitation by an ultrashort laser pulse leads to a succession of partial nuclear wave packets on the dissociative potential curve. Matter wave interferences result from their evolution. We show here theoretically how control pulses inducing Rabi oscillations on the electronic atomic part of the wave function can change totally the shape of the nuclear interference pattern. This is a consequence of the entanglement between the electronic and nuclear parts of the wave function. Application to information storage is finally discussed.
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevA.67.041402
View online : Phys. Rev. A 67, 041402R/1-4 (2003)