Macroscopic Spin-Orbit Interaction through Strong-Field Pumping of Inhomogeneously Aligned Molecular Ensemble

Abstract

We study the strong-field interaction of a helical bi-chromatic pump with an anisotropic and inhomogeneous molecular system in the form of planar distribution of radially aligned molecular ensemble. This setting gives rise to macroscopic spin-orbit interaction where High Harmonic radiation is emitted while imbued with Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) whose sign is directly dictated by the helicity of the pump field. We demonstrate this phenomenon in ensembles of $H_2^+$ and $N_2$ molecules with Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TDDFT) simulations.