LAMOL · Laser manipulation of stochastic molecular processes

Final Activity Report Summary - LAMOL (Laser manipulation of stochastic molecular processes)

The project successfully fulfilled its aim of carrying out measures for transfer of knowledge to the host university in a new member state. A total of 148 person-months of incoming and outgoing researcher visits were delivered by the project. Substantial scientific equipment was transferred from a partner university to the host. This equipment, along with the arrangements and major investments by the host organisation, was used to establish the laser centre with several simultaneously operated single-mode ring laser systems and the molecular beam laboratory with supersonic beams equipped for optical spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and ion imaging. This infrastructure was later complemented by new laser systems and the first magneto-optical trap for laser cooling of atoms in the Baltic States. The laser centre became the largest laser facility in the host institution's country, and since 2008 it became a member of the Seventh Framework Programme European Laser Infrastructure, namely the Laserlab Europe II. The transfer of knowledge measures were carried out in the context of research work. A number of partner organisations with profound knowledge in research fields related to laser manipulation of atomic and molecular processes contributed to the rapid buildup of a high level of competence in the laser centre. The research work of the project resulted in 17 articles in peer reviewed journals, 3 full text conference proceedings and 61 conference contributions, including publications co-authored by partner teams. Various key scientific advances were achieved by the project. The most remarkable ones included the development of a novel technique for coherent population transfer to highly excited molecular states, a novel technique for coherent excited state population switching, theoretical demonstration of the applicability of white light in stimulated Raman adiabatic passage, development of the stochastic ionisation model describing ionisation, experimental demonstration of novel effect of line broadening by optical pumping at laser intensities below saturation limit, theoretical demonstration of subnatural decay of radiation escaping from cold atom gases and Penning ionisation of cold Rydberg gases in an Auger-type process. The scientific relevance of the results was also demonstrated by the fact that two of the publications on these topics, i.e. articles in Physical Review A on coherent population switching and population transfer by white light, were selected for republication in the Virtual Journal of Ultrafast Science. Moreover, the training and transfer of knowledge activities included three international conferences organised by the host, with renowned international invited speakers and published abstract books. A number of invited international guest lecturers and scientists visited the laser centre for seminars, colloquia, or short lecture courses. The transfer of knowledge via incoming and outgoing fellowships was reinforced by short visits to and from project partners dedicated to fast solution of specific problems or acquisition of a specific competence. Incoming researchers received training in both scientific and complementary skills. Communication skills were trained via the involvement of researchers in the preparation of publications, conference contributions and seminar talks. In addition, the two long-term experienced researchers (ERs) that were successively hired by the project received training in research leadership skills through being in charge of a small research unit and through involvement in the project's management board. The incoming researchers also participated in the organisation of international conferences and the preparation of new project proposals. Finally, the project resulted in establishment of long-term collaborations and synergies. This was evidenced by the Seventh Framework Programme initial training network proposal that was submitted in 2008 with the participation of several partner teams of the present project and the international research staff exchange scheme proposal that was jointly submitted in 2009 with two of the former recruited researchers.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union