Quantum erasing of laser emission in N2

Cavity-free lasing of N2+ induced by a femtosecond laser pulse at 800 nm is nearly totally suppressed by a delayed twin control pulse. We explain this surprising effect within the V-scheme of lasing without population inversion. A fast transfer of population between nitrogen ionic states X2Σð'"+ and A2Πð'¢, induced by the second pulse, terminates the conditions for amplification in the system. The appearance of short lasing bursts at delays corresponding to revivals of rotational wave packets is explained along the same lines.