@article{FlossKlamrothSaalfrank2011,
  author    = {Floss, Gereon and Klamroth, Tillmann and Saalfrank, Peter},
  title     = {Laser-controlled switching of molecular arrays in an dissipative environment},
  series = {Physical review : B, Condensed matter and materials physics},
  volume    = {83},
  journal   = {Physical review : B, Condensed matter and materials physics},
  number    = {10},
  publisher = {American Physical Society},
  address   = {College Park},
  issn      = {1098-0121},
  doi       = {10.1103/PhysRevB.83.104301},
  pages     = {9},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {The optical switching of molecular ensembles in a dissipative environment is a subject of various fields of chemical physics and physical chemistry. Here we try to switch arrays of molecules from a stable collective ground state to a state in which all molecules have been transferred to another stable higher-energy configuration. In our model switching proceeds through electronically excited intermediates which are coherently coupled to each other through dipolar interactions, and which decay incoherently within a finite lifetime by coupling to a dissipative environment. The model is quite general, but parameters are chosen to roughly resemble the all-trans -> all-cis isomerization of an array of azobenzene molecules on a surface. Using analytical and optimal control pulses and the concept of "laser distillation," we demonstrate that for various aggregates (dimers up to hexamers), controlled and complete switching should be possible.},
  language  = {en}
}