  By means of quantum-dynamical and classical trajectory calculations of H2+
photodissociation in strong laser fields, it is shown that for certain
combinations of pulse durations and intensities the rotational dynamics can
lead to centrifugal fragmentation. In that case, the photofragments exhibit
characteristic angular distributions. The classical calculations provide a
transparent physical picture of this mechanism which is also very well
established in collisions between atomic nuclei or liquid droplets:
non-rotating systems are stable, whereas rotating systems fragment due to the
decrease of the fragmentation barrier with increasing angular momentum.
