Many-electron dynamics of a Xe atom in strong and superstrong laser fields

Multiple-core-hole resonance spectroscopy with ultraintense X-ray pulses

Understanding the interaction of intense, femtosecond X-ray pulses with heavy atoms is crucial for gaining insights into the structure and dynamics of matter. One key aspect of nonlinear light-matter interaction was, so far, not studied systematically at free-electron lasers-its dependence on the photon energy. Here, we use resonant ion spectroscopy to map out the transient electronic structures occurring during the complex charge-up pathways of xenon. Massively hollow atoms featuring up to six simultaneous core holes determine the spectra at specific photon energies and charge states. We also illustrate how different X-ray pulse parameters, which are usually intertwined, can be partially disentangled. The extraction of resonance spectra is facilitated by the possibility of working with a constant number of photons per X-ray pulse at all photon energies and the fact that the ion yields become independent of the peak fluence beyond a saturation point. Our study lays the groundwork for spectroscopic investigations of transient atomic species in exotic, multiple-core-hole states that have not been explored previously.

Measurement of Photoionization Cross-Section for the Excited States of Atoms: A Review

A review of experimental studies of the measurement of the photoionization cross-section for the excited states of the alkali atoms, alkaline earth atoms, and rare-gas atoms is presented, with emphasis on using multi-step laser excitation, ionization, and the saturation technique. The dependence of the photoionization cross-section from different intermediate states populated in the first step and ionized in the second step are discussed, including results on the photoionization cross-sections measured above the first ionization threshold. Results based on different polarizations of the exciting and the ionizing dye lasers are also discussed. Examples are provided, illustrating the photoionization cross-sections measured using thermionic diode ion detector, atomic beam apparatus in conjunction with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer and DC/RF glow discharge cell as an optogalvanic detection.

Selective breaking of bonds in water with intense, 2-cycle, infrared laser pulses

One of the holy grails of contemporary science has been to establish the possibility of preferentially breaking one of several bonds in a molecule. For instance, the two O-H bonds in water are equivalent: given sufficient energy, either one of them is equally likely to break. We report bond-selective molecular fragmentation upon application of intense, 2-cycle pulses of 800 nm laser light: we demonstrate up to three-fold enhancement for preferential bond breaking in isotopically substituted water (HOD). Our experimental observations are rationalized by means of ab initio computations of the potential energy surfaces of HOD, HOD(+), and HOD(2+) and explorations of the dissociation limits resulting from either O-H or O-D bond rupture. The observations we report present a formidable theoretical challenge that need to be taken up in order to gain insights into molecular dynamics, strong field physics, chemical physics, non-adiabatic processes, mass spectrometry, and time-dependent quantum chemistry.

Carrier-envelope-phase effects in ultrafast strong-field ionization dynamics of multielectron systems: Xe and CS2

Carrier-envelope-phase- (CEP) stabilized 5 and 22 fs pulses of intense 800 nm light are used to probe the strong-field ionization dynamics of xenon and carbon disulfide. We compare ion yields obtained with and without CEP stabilization. With 8-cycle (22 fs) pulses, Xe(6+) yields are suppressed (relative to Xe(+)) by 30%-50%, depending on phase, reflecting the phase dependence of nonsequential ionization and its contribution to the formation of higher charge states. Ion yields for Xe(q+) (q = 2-4) with CEP-stabilized pulses are enhanced (by up to 50%) compared to those with CEP-unstabilized pulses. Such enhancement is particularly pronounced with 2-cycle (5 fs) pulses and is distinctly phase dependent. Orbital shape and symmetry affect how CS(2) responds to variations in optical field that are effected as CEP is altered, keeping intensity constant. Molecular fragmentation is found to depend on field strength (not intensity); the relative enhancement of fragmentation when CEP-stabilized 2-cycle pulses are used is found to be at the expense of molecular ionization.

Femtosecond lasers for mass spectrometry: proposed application to catalytic hydrogenation of butadiene

Mass spectra from the interaction of intense, femtosecond laser pulses with 1,3-butadiene, 1-butene, and n-butane have been obtained. The proportion of the fragment ions produced as a function of intensity, pulse length, and wavelength was investigated. Potential mass spectrometry applications, for example in the analysis of catalytic reaction products, are discussed.

Extreme ultraviolet laser excites atomic giant resonance

Exceptional behavior of light-matter interaction in the extreme ultraviolet is demonstrated. The photoionization of different rare gases was compared at the free-electron laser in Hamburg, FLASH, by applying ion spectroscopy at the wavelength of 13.7 nm and irradiance levels of thousands of terawatts per square centimeter. In the case of xenon, the degree of nonlinear photoionization was found to be significantly higher than for neon, argon, and krypton. This target specific behavior cannot be explained by the standard theories developed for optical strong-field phenomena. We suspect that the collective giant 4d resonance of xenon is the driving force behind the effect that arises in this spectral range.

Ionization dynamics versus laser intensity in laser-driven multiply charged ions

A sensitive method is put forward to determine the intensity of ultrastrong and short laser pulses via multiply charged ions. For guiding this experimentally challenging task, the laser-induced dynamics of these ions is calculated using both the classical relativistic and quantum Dirac equations. The resulting ionization yields and angular distributions are then evaluated to most sensitively deduce the applied maximal laser pulse intensity.

Relativistic MeV photoelectrons from the single atom response of argon to a 10 19 W/cm2 laser field

We present photoelectron measurements from argon ionization at 10(19) W/cm(2). Photoelectrons with energies above 400 keV, including a 1.2 MeV cutoff, are in quantitative agreement with a semiclassical, relativistic 3D ionization model that includes a nonparaxial laser field. L-shell photoelectrons have energies and momentum dominated by the field, including the acceleration out of the focus. Yields and angular distributions at 60 keV come from valence shell ionization by strong fields where rescattering and atomic processes determine photoelectron final states.

Photoelectric effect at ultrahigh intensities

In the spectral range of the extreme ultraviolet at a wavelength of 13.3 nm, we have studied the photoionization of xenon at ultrahigh intensities. For our ion mass-to-charge spectroscopy experiments, irradiance levels from 10(12) to 10(16) W cm(-2) were achieved at the new free-electron laser in Hamburg FLASH by strong beam focusing with the aid of a spherical multilayer mirror. Ion charges up to Xe21+ were observed and investigated as a function of irradiance. Our surprising results are discussed in terms of a perturbative and nonperturbative description.

In-plane theory of nonsequential triple ionization

We describe first-principles in-plane calculations of nonsequential triple ionization of atoms in a linearly polarized intense laser pulse. In a fully classically correlated description, all three electrons respond dynamically to the nuclear attraction, the pairwise e-e repulsions, and the laser force throughout the duration of a 780 nm laser pulse. Nonsequential ejection is shown to occur in a multielectron, possibly multicycle and multidimensional, rescattering sequence that is coordinated by a number of sharp transverse recollimation impacts.

Theoretical studies on tunneling ionizations of helium atom in intense laser fields

Our generalized Keldysh theory is applied to the simplest many-electron atom, helium atom. For the single ionization (He-->He(+)+e) we derive a compact rate formula, which does not contain any series summation or integral and thus is as simple as the Ammosov-Delone-Krainov ionization rates. In addition to its simplicity, our formula can explicitly show the wavelength dependence. Furthermore a simple form of the angular distribution of the photoelectron is available. Our compact formula agrees well with both the exact numerical calculations [A. Scrinzi et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 83, 706 (1999)] and experimental data [B. Walker et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 73, 1227 (1994)] in the intensity range of I<5x10(15) Wcm(2). In higher intensity regions, we suggest to utilize another simple formula which is valid in the tunneling limit.

Core relaxation in atomic ultrastrong laser field ionization

We have investigated atomic ionization dynamics in Kr in the transition regime from nonrelativistic to relativistic laser intensities (10(16) to 10(18) W/cm2) by measuring yields of highly charged ions stemming from an inner shell. Interpretation of the data is focused on the applicability of the single active electron description, which requires fully relaxed core states between successive ionization steps. In particular, we are concerned with transient core polarization or alignment effects originating from the strong dependence of the ionization rates on the magnetic quantum number. We found that for intense laser pulses with 40 fs pulse width internal m-mixing processes appear to be sufficiently fast to erase any transient core polarization.

Correlated multielectron dynamics in ultrafast laser pulse interactions with atoms

We present the results of the detailed experimental study of multiple ionization of Ne and Ar by 25 and 7 fs laser pulses. Whereas in multiple ionization of Ar different mechanisms, involving field ionization steps and recollision-induced excitations, play a role, for Ne only one channel, where the highly correlated instantaneous emission of up to four electrons is triggered by a recollisional electron impact, is found to be important. Using few-cycle pulses we are able to suppress those processes that occur on time scales longer than one laser cycle.