  We consider solid surface scattering of molecules that were subject to strong
non-resonant ultrashort laser pulses just before hitting the surface. The
pulses modify the rotational states of the molecules, causing their field free
alignment, or a rotation with a preferred sense. We show that field-free
laser-induced molecular alignment leads to correlations between the scattering
angle and the sense of rotation of the scattered molecules. Moreover, by
controlling the sense of laser induced unidirectional molecular rotation, one
may affect the scattering angle of the molecules. This provides a new means for
separation of mixtures of molecules (such as isotopes and nuclear-spin isomers)
by laser controlled surface scattering.

Chemical Physics;Optics