Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics — Emphasis on Molecular Quantum Control

Research Summary
Prof. Marjatta Lyyra co-pioneered continuous wave triple resonance spectroscopy with initial applications in high resolution molecular spectroscopy of electronic states involving large internuclear distance in collaboration with Profs. William C. Stwalley and Paul D. Kleiber at the University of Iowa. At Temple University, her research group has used this technique in molecular quantum optics studies by using the Autler-Townes effect to  demonstrate molecular  Electromagnetically Induced Transparency and more recently with Prof. Ergin H. Ahmed all-optical control of molecular angular momentum orientation by state selective population of individual magnetic sublevels.  Their research group has also shown that the Autler-Townes effect can be used as a precision probe of the molecular transition dipole moment and its internuclear distance dependence. Their research group has also demonstrated all-optical control of molecular population flow through a pair of singlet-triplet levels perturbed by the spin-orbit interaction.   Research on optimizing this process by the development of an all-optical spin switch is planned.   

Education
Ph. D,  Stockholm University, 1979
M. S,  University of Helsinki, 1973
B. Sc, University of Helsinki, 1971

Selected Publications

  • J. T. Stahovich, B. A. Rowe, P. T. Arndt, A. D. Hersh, P. L. Wardach, J. P. Huennekens, A. M. Lyyra, E. H. Ahmed1, “Experimental study of the 3 1Δg and 4 1Δg states of Rb2”, Physical Review A, 109, 012805 (2024).
  • E. H. Ahmed, S. Ingram, T. V. Kirova, O. Salihoglu, J. Huennekens, J. Qi, Y. Guan, and A. M. Lyyra, “Quantum Control of the Spin-Orbit Interaction using the Autler-Townes Effect”, Phys. Rev. Letters 107, 163601 (2011).
  • J. Qi, F. C. Spano, T. Kirova, A. Lazoudis, J. Magnes, L. Li, L. M. Narducci, R. W. Field and A. M. Lyyra, “Measurement of Transition Dipole Moments in Molecular Lithium using Electromagnetically Induced Transparency,” Phys. Rev. Letters, 88, 173003-1 to 173003-4 (2002).
  • J. Qi, G. Lazarov, X. Wang, L. Li, L. M. Narducci, A. M. Lyyra, and F. C. Spano, “ Autler-Townes Splitting in Molecular Lithium: Prospects for All-Optical Alignment of Nonpolar Molecules”, Phys. Rev. Letters 83, 288-291(1999).
  • A. M. Lyyra, H. Wang, T.-J. Whang, L. Li and W. C. Stwalley, "CW All-Optical Triple Resonance (AOTR) Spectroscopy", Phys. Rev. Lett. 66, 2724-2727 (1991).

Awards

  • Fellow, Optical Society of America, 2018
  • Member, Decadal Assessment of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Science for the National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine 2018-2019.
  • Invited professorship in 2015 at the Institute Lumiere Matiere, Universite Claude Bernard, Lyon, France
  • Arfken Scholar, Miami University of Ohio, 2010
  • The Dean’s Excellence in Mentoring Award, 2009
  • Lise Meitner Visiting Professor, Lund, Sweden, January through June 2009
  • Fellow, American Physical Society, 2005-
  • Member, $1 Million Research Club, Temple University, 2004-
  • Visiting Professor, May 1998, Tsinghua University, sponsored by the Chinese NNSF
  • NSF Career Advancement Award, 1992
  • Thord Gray Award, Scandinavian American Foundation, 1990
  • Wallenberg Foundation Award, Sweden 1978
  • Finnish-Swedish Cultural Foundation Award, 1974-1975
  • Aaltonen Foundation Award, Finland 1974
  • Recognition for Excellence in Modern Experimental Molecular Physics, Research Institute for Physics, Stockholm, 1974

Personal Website - LINK