OPTIMAL-CONTROL OF MOLECULAR-MOTION - NONLINEAR FIELD EFFECTS

This paper is concerned with some of the consequences of strong optical fields and corresponding nonlinear field effects upon the optimal control of molecular motion. It is shown that the presence of nonlinear interactions can give rise to the existence of multiple field solutions to the problem of optimally controlling molecular motion where each of the fields produces exactly the same physical effects on the molecule. Secondly, it is argued that nonlinear field interactions may either act as a constraint on the control of molecular motion or an enhancement of that process depending on the circumstances. These variation phenomena are illustrated through consideration of control over the motion of harmonic molecules.