One of our current research interests focuses on the use of laser radiation as control tool of the spin-orbit interaction in molecular systems. Using the Autler-Townes (AC Stark) effect of an electromagnetic radiation we have shown experimentally that the spin character of states coupled by the spin-orbit interaction can be manipulated externally. Building on this result we are developing an all-optical spin switch mechanism using which population transfer between a singlet and a triplet state would occur in a controlled fashion in the time domain under the influence of an external optical field.
