The Manifestations of “l-Doubling” in\nGas-Phase Rotational Dynamics

The “l-Doubling”\nphenomenon emanates from the coupling\nbetween molecular rotations and perpendicular vibrations (bending\nmodes) in polyatomic molecules. This elusive phenomenon has been largely\ndiscarded in laser-induced molecular alignment. Here we explore and\nunveil the ramifications of l-Doubling on the coherent rotational\ndynamics of linear triatomic molecules at ambient temperatures and\nabove. The observed l-Doubling dynamics may be wrongly considered\nas collisional decay throughout the first few hundreds of picoseconds\npast excitation, highlighting the importance of correct assimilation\nof l-Doubling in current research of dissipative rotational dynamics\nand in coherent rotational dynamics in general.