Abstract: A method for the controlled nanometer-scale deposition of molecules on a surface, by means of coherently controlled optical focusing. The coherent control is conveniently performed by inducing a linear superposition of molecular bound states, by means of electromagnetic fields supplied by an applied laser beam. The optical focusing is conveniently performed by passing a beam of such suitably prepared molecules through another electromagnetic field supplied by a standing wave induced by two interacting laser beams. Altering the characteristics of the laser beams alters the forces operating on the molecules, thus directing them to the desired position on the surface. Selection of the frequencies, intensities, and relative phases of the electromagnetic fields, as well as the geometry of the interaction between the molecular beam and the electromagnetic fields, enables deposition of aperiodic molecular patterns on the surface with a resolution of 10 to 15 nanometers.

Abstract: A laser-based method of enhancing the enantiomeric excess of one chiral enantiomer in a mixture of chiral enantiomers, denoted L and D (and related to one another by the inversion operation I), is described. The molecule L and D is chosen so that electronic excitation is to an electronically excited species with stationary ro-vibrational states which are individually either symmetric or anit-symmetric with respect to I. The mixture is irradiated with a series of achiral pulses of coherent laser light. By varying the frequencies, timing, and durations of these pulses one can selectively increase the enantiomeric excess of either L or D in the ground electronic state.

Abstract: Photodissociation of molecules in a known energy level is conducted by raising the molecules from that energy level to a predetermined energy level in the continuum above the dissociation energy of the molecule, along a plurality of different routes. Each route requires at least one frequency of coherent electromagnetic radiation. By simultaneous application of the coherent radiation pertaining to one route and the coherent radiation pertaining to another route, and variation of the relative phase and/or relative amplitude of the simultaneously applied radiations, control over the degree to which respective photodissociation pathways are adopted can be exercised, so as to control the relative amounts of different photodissociation products which can be formed.