Optical Coherent Transients by Laser Frequency Switching

Coherence phenomena such as photon echoes, free induction, and nutation effects are easily detected in molecular iodine using a frequency-switched tunable cw dye laser. This technique is generally applicable to atoms, molecules, and solids and offers unique ways for probing dynamic interactions in a selective manner. Elastic and inelastic collision mechanisms for ${\mathrm{I}}_2$ are examined independently and compared with theory.