Selection of ionization paths of K2 on superfluid helium droplets by wave packet interference

Abstract

We report on the control of wave packet dynamics for the ionization of K2 attached to the surface of superfluid helium droplets. The superfluid helium matrix acts as a heat sink and reduces the coherence time of molecular processes by dissipation. We use tailor-shaped pulses in order to activate or inhibit different ionization paths by constructive or destructive wave packet interference. A drastic change of the wave packet dynamics is observed by shifting the phase between the exciting sub pulses.