Time-dependent wave packet approach to Rabi oscillation in strong laser field

The phenomenon of Rabi oscillation is obtained in the investigation of the NO multiphoton ionization (MPI) in femtosecond laser fields. The "split operator-Fourier transform" method of wave packet propagation is used in the representation of Rabi oscillation of population in each electronic state of NO molecule. The origin of Rabi oscillation and the effect on multiphoton ionization is analyzed. The high-frequency oscillation riding on the top of Rabi oscillation is attributed to the nonrotating wave component in strong laser fields. Also illustrated is that through adjusting the pump-probe delay time and the laser intensity appropriately the control of the ionization yield can be realized. This idea may be important for the laser control of chemical reaction. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 95: 30-36, 2003.