Quantum control of the spin-orbit interaction using the Autler-Townes effect.

We have demonstrated quantum control of the spin-orbit interaction based on the Autler-Townes (ac-Stark) effect in a molecular system using a cw optical field. We show that the enhancement of the spin-orbit interaction between a pair of weakly interacting singlet-triplet rovibrational levels, G (1)Π(g)(v=12,J=21,f)-1 (3)Σ(g)(-)(v=1,N=21,f), separated by 750 MHz in the lithium dimer, depends on the Rabi frequency (laser power) of the control laser. The increase in the spin-orbit interaction due to the control field is observed as a change in the spin character of the individual components of the perturbed pair.