Proc. SPIE, v.4243 (2001), in press
V.V. Eryomin, I.M. Umanskii, N.E. Kuz'menko
ABSTRACT. Universal properties of electronic and nuclear wave packets created in atoms and molecules by ultrashort (pico- and femtosecond) laser pulses are considered. The phenomenon of fractional revivals of wave packets moving in anharmonic quantum systems is examined in detail. Experimental manifestations of fractional revivals and the mechanisms of their decay in atoms and molecules are discussed.