Propensity of molecules to spatially align in intense light fields

The propensity of molecules to spatially align along the polarization vector of intense, pulsed light fields is related to readily accessible parameters (molecular polarizability, moment of inertia, peak intensity, and pulse duration of the light). It is possible to predict which molecules can be spatially aligned, and under what circumstances, upon exposure to intense light. Accounting for both enhanced ionization and hyperpolarizability, it is shown that all molecules can be aligned, even those with the smallest static polarizability, when subjected to ultrashort pulses of sufficient intensity.