### Session V38: Focus Session: The Transition State in Physics, Chemistry, and Astrophysics II

8:00 AM–11:00 AM, Thursday, March 19, 2009
Room: 410

Chair: K. Srihari, Indian Institute of Technology

Abstract ID: BAPS.2009.MAR.V38.6

### Abstract: V38.00006 : Collective coherent control: Synchronization of polarization in ferroelectric PbTiO$_{3}$ by shaped THz fields

10:36 AM–10:48 AM

Preview Abstract MathJax On | Off   Abstract

#### Authors:

Tingting Qi
Young-Han Shin
Ka-Lo Yeh
Nelson Keith
Rappe Andrew

Coherent optical control over ultrafast molecular behavior including chemical reactions has been explored in recent years, spurred by the application of optimal control theory and related methods and by the development of femtosecond pulse shaping techniques through which complex optical waveforms have been crafted and optimized to induce specified molecular responses. Here we propose and model theoretically the extension of coherent control to collective structural change. We show that properly shaped terahertz fields, resonant with selected lattice vibrational frequencies, could be used to move ions in ferroelectric crystals from their positions in an initial domain orientation along well defined collective microscopic paths into the positions they occupy in a new domain orientation. Collective coherent control will enable direct observation of fast highly nonlinear material responses and far-from-equilibrium structures that can be harnessed in electro-optic devices and non-volatile computer memory.

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2009.MAR.V38.6