Dynamic and geometric laser-induced alignment of molecules in intense laser fields

The angular distribution of the ionic fragments from multiphoton dissociative ionization of diatomic molecules shows a pronounced anisotropy. Calculations within the field-ionization, Coulomb explosion model show that the experimental results (pulses of 50 fs at an intensity of ) can be explained without invoking reorientation of the molecular axis. The fragments of the lighter and molecules, on the other hand, show clear signs of being forced into alignment.