Emergence of a Higher Energy Structure in Strong Field Ionization with Inhomogeneous Electric Fields

L. Ortmann, J. A. Pérez-Hernández, M. F. Ciappina, J. Schötz, A. Chacón, G. Zeraouli, M. F. Kling, L. Roso, M. Lewenstein, and A. S. Landsman
Phys. Rev. Lett. 119, 053204 – Published 4 August 2017

Abstract

Studies of strong field ionization have historically relied on the strong field approximation, which neglects all spatial dependence in the forces experienced by the electron after ionization. More recently, the small spatial inhomogeneity introduced by the long-range Coulomb potential has been linked to a number of important features in the photoelectron spectrum, such as Coulomb asymmetry, Coulomb focusing, and the low energy structure. Here, we demonstrate using midinfrared laser wavelength that a time-varying spatial dependence in the laser electric field, such as that produced in the vicinity of a nanostructure, creates a prominent higher energy peak. This higher energy structure (HES) originates from direct electrons ionized near the peak of a single half-cycle of the laser pulse. The HES is separated from all other ionization events, with its location and width highly dependent on the strength of spatial inhomogeneity. Hence, the HES can be used as a sensitive tool for near-field characterization in the “intermediate regime,” where the electron’s quiver amplitude is comparable to the field decay length. Moreover, the large accumulation of electrons with tuneable energy suggests a promising method for creating a localized source of electron pulses of attosecond duration using tabletop laser technology.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 31 August 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.119.053204

© 2017 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Atomic, Molecular & Optical

Authors & Affiliations

L. Ortmann1,*, J. A. Pérez-Hernández2,†, M. F. Ciappina3,4, J. Schötz3, A. Chacón5, G. Zeraouli2, M. F. Kling3,6, L. Roso2, M. Lewenstein5,8, and A. S. Landsman1,7,‡

  • 1Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Nöthnitzer Straße 38, D-01187 Dresden, Germany
  • 2Centro de Láseres Pulsados (CLPU), Parque Científico, E-37185 Villamayor, Salamanca, Spain
  • 3Max-Planck Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann-Str. 1, D-85748 Garching, Germany
  • 4Institute of Physics of the ASCR, ELI-Beamlines, Na Slovance 2, 182 21 Prague, Czech Republic
  • 5ICFO-Institut de Ciences Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, E-08860 Castelldefels, Spain
  • 6Department für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Am Coulombwall 1, D-85748 Garching, Germany
  • 7Department of Physics, Max Planck Postech, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, Republic of Korea
  • 8ICREA, Pg. Lluis Companys 23, E-08010 Barcelona, Spain

  • *ortmann@pks.mpg.de
  • japerez@clpu.es
  • landsman@pks.mpg.de

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 119, Iss. 5 — 4 August 2017

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×