Transition from strong-field sequential to nonsequential double ionization at near-infrared wavelengths and low intensities

Within a quantum-mechanical model, we investigate strong-field double ionization of a model helium atom by near-infrared, linearly polarized laser pulses at intensities far below the recollision threshold. The quantum simulations show a clear mechanism change from sequential to nonsequential double ionization (NSDI) as the laser intensity increases. For NSDI, the two-electron correlated momentum distribution exhibits a strong final-state Coulomb repulsion effect for high-energy photoelectrons, but absent for low-energy photoelectrons. This repulsion effect is ascribed to field double ionization from doubly-excited states populated by recollision of the first ionized electron when it returns to the parent ion. Such recollision-induced excited states are absent at ultraviolet wavelengths due to the very low returning kinetic energies, resulting to the absence of final-state repulsion effect in NSDI.     

强场非次序双电离中再碰撞动力学的强度依赖

利用三维经典系综模型系统地研究了不同强度线偏振激光脉冲驱动下He原子的非次序双电离.结果表明在非次序双电离中回碰电子的返回次数、两电子的碰撞距离和电子对的关联特性都强烈地依赖于激光强度.对于750 nm,随着激光强度的增加,单次返回诱导的非次序双电离事件逐渐减少,而多次返回事件的比例显著增加.对于1500 nm,随着激光强度的增加,前三次返回诱导的非次序双电离事件都会减少,返回次数大于3的轨道对非次序双电离的贡献逐渐增加.这是因为在高强度下每次返回过程中母核的库仑吸引对返回电子横向偏离的补偿较弱,所以需要更多次的返回来补偿电子的横向偏离以实现再碰撞.轨道分析表明非次序双电离中两电子的碰撞距离随激光波长和强度的增加而逐渐减小.最后讨论了非次序双电离中电子对的关联特性对返回次数的依赖.     

Nonsequential double ionization of diatomic molecules by elliptically polarized laser pulses

Using the classical ensemble method, we investigate nonsequential double ionization （NSDI） of diatomic molecules by elliptically polarized laser pulses. The results show that the ellipticity of the laser field has a strong suppression effect on NSDI probabilities both in parallel and perpendicular alignments. The double ionization （DI） channel is commonly dominated by NSDI, and the NSDI channel changes with ellipticity. As ellipticity increases, more and more NSDIs occur through recollision excitation with subsequent field ionization （RESI）. Moreover, like the case of linear polarization, the two electrons involved in NSDI for perpendicularly aligned molecules are more likely to emit into the opposite hemispheres as compared to the case of parallel alignment. Additionally, this alignment effect increases as ellipticity increases.     

Nonsequential double ionization of the aligned hydrogen molecule in strong field

This paper studies the nonsequential double ionization(NSDI) process of diatomic molecules aligned parallel and perpendicular to an intense linearly polarized laser field by using a three-dimensional semiclassical model.With this model,it achieves insight into the ion momentum distribution under the combined influence of a two-centre Coulomb potential and an intense laser field,and this result shows the significant influence of molecular alignment on the ratio between double and single ionization rate.Careful investigations show that the NSDI process for different alignment molecules has a close relation to the laser intensity and the different bounding electron distribution has a significant influence on the final ion momentum distribution.     

Influence of relative phase on the nonsequential double ionization process of CO_2 molecules by counter-rotating two-color circularly polarized laser fields

We investigate the nonsequential double ionization(NSDI) of linear triatomic molecules by the counter-rotating two-color circularly polarized(CRTC) laser fields with a classical ensemble method. The results of the simulation reveal that NSDI yield strongly connected with the relative phase. The trajectory tracking method shows that the return time of the electron is controlled by the relative phase. In addition, when we change the CRTC laser wavelengths, the relative phase of the maximum and minimum yield of NSDI also changes. This shows that the influence of the Coulomb potential in the triatomic molecules on the electron return process cannot be ignored. This work will effectively promote the electronic dynamics study of NSDI for the triatomic molecule.     

Multiple recollisions in nonsequential double ionization below the recollision-ionization threshold

By using the three-dimensional classical ensemble model, the recollision dynamics in nonsequential double ionization (NSDI) of Ar by 780-nm laser pulses at (6-1.2)×10¹⁴ W/cm² was extensively studied. We revealed the picture of multiple-recollision in the double ionization events at the laser intensity region below the recollision-ionization threshold. Via tracing the NSDI trajectories, it was found that the contribution of these multiple-recollision events increases as the laser intensity decreases. In this low intensity region, many multiple-recollision induced NSDI trajectories occur through the doubly excited states. The decay speed of the doubly excited state decreases with the decreasing laser intensity.     

Microscopic Dynamics of Nonsequential Double Ionization by Elliptically Polarized Few-Cycle Laser Pulses

With the classical ensemble model, we investigate nonsequential double ionization (NSDI) of xenon atoms using 780 nm, 0.25 PW/cm2elliptically polarized few-cycle laser pulses. The momentum distribution of correlated electron along the long axis of the laser polarization plane shows an obvious V-like structure locating at the third quadrant, and the momentum along the short axis of the laser polarization plane are mainly distributed in the second and fourth quadrants. Moreover, we demonstrate that the Coulomb repulsion interaction plays a decisive role to the above results.By back analyzing the classical trajectories of NSDI, we find that there are two kinds of recollision trajectories mainly contribute to NSDI, and the different microscopic dynamics for the two kinds of trajectories are clearly explored.     

Ionization of lithium in a strong laser field

In this work, we present ab initio computations of the interaction of helium and lithium with a strong laser field. By computing the two-and three-particle wave functions, we retain the full electron correlation and numerically integrate the time-dependent Schrödinger equation (TDSE) restricted to one dimension. The correlated nonsequential double ionization (NSDI) and the sequential double ionization (SDI) is studied. Our results show a clear transition from NSDI to SDI for increasing intensities. The correlated double ionization is found to be sensitive to the spin configuration of the ionized pair. Our model allows us to “measure” two different channels of double ionization (one with both spins aligned and one with spins antialigned).     

Carrier-envelope-phase effect in nonsequential double ionization of Ar atoms by few-cycle laser pulses

A classical ensemble method is used to investigate nonsequential double ionization(NSDI) of Ar atoms irradiated by linearly polarized few-cycle laser pulses. The correlated-electron momentum distribution(CMD) exhibits a strong dependence on the carrier-envelope phase(CEP). When the pulse duration is four cycles, the CMD shows a cross-like structure, which is consistent with experimental results. The CEP dependence is more notable when the laser pulse duration is decreased to two cycles and a special L-shaped structure appears in CMD. Recollision time of returning electrons greatly depends on CEP, which plays a significant role in accounting for the appearance of this structure.     

不同分子取向下氢分子非次序双电离对核间距的依赖关系

利用三维经典系综模型研究了氢分子非次序双电离对核间距的依赖性.在不同分子取向下,氢分子双电离率随核间距的增大而先增大后减小,在核间距为4a.u.时取最大值.氢分子非次序双电离对核间距的依赖性随分子轴与激光偏振方向间夹角φ的增大而减弱.φ=0时,氢分子非次序双电离包含丰富的相关模式,对核间距有强烈的依赖性φ=π/2时,不同核间距下的相关模式相似,重碰撞在双电离过程中发挥更重要的作用.这些结果表明分子结构对双原子分子非次序双电离有重要影响. 关键词： 非次序双电离 核间距 关联动量分布     

强激光场下原子超快动力学过程中的能量交换

利用三维经典系综模型,研究了整个系综两电子(Ar原子为例)从激光场吸收的能量对激光参数(波长、激光强度和椭偏率)的依赖关系.结果显示,当激光强度固定,波长增加时,整个系综两电子从激光场吸收的能量整体呈上升趋势,但不同强度下趋势略有差异.在较低强度时整个系综两电子从激光场吸收的能量对波长的依赖关系呈现持续平稳增加的趋势,在较高强度时呈现先缓慢减小再快速增大的趋势.对强度的依赖关系在不同波长时呈现两个有趣的交叉点.对椭偏率的依赖关系在较低强度时呈现先逐渐减小再缓慢增大的趋势;在中等强度时呈现一个“阶梯型”即先缓慢增大再逐渐减小最后缓慢增大;在更高强度时呈现先逐渐增大再逐渐减小的趋势.为了解释整个系综两电子从激光场吸收的能量对激光参数的依赖关系,把整个系综的动力学过程分为双电离、单电离、受挫单电离和受挫双电离4种通道.然后分析各个通道的特征及其如何主导整个系综两电子从激光场吸收的能量的变化趋势.分析结果表明,整个系综两电子从激光场吸收的能量对波长、激光强度和椭偏率的依赖均是由于某种通道主导整个系综两电子从激光场吸收的能量的结果.     

氦原子非次序双电离对正交双色场强度比的依赖关系

利用经典系综模型研究了正交双色场中氦原子非次序双电离对双色场强度比的依赖关系.研究表明, 该依赖关系与双色场相对相位φ 有关. φ =0.25π 时,沿长波长激光偏振方向的相关动量谱随强度比的增大从相关模式转变为反相关模式. φ =0.35π, 0.45π 时,相关动量主要分布在第一和第三象限,相关模式几乎不随强度比的变化而变化.对双电离轨迹碰撞时间、碰撞角、碰撞动量的向后分析可以解释上述结果,并显示了正交双色场对非次序双电离中碰撞时间、碰撞角的控制作用.     

High-energy cutoff in the spectrum of strong-field nonsequential double ionization

Electron energy distributions of singly and doubly ionized helium in an intense 390 nm laser field have been measured at two intensities (0.8 PW/cm2 and 1.1 PW/cm2, where PW is defined as 10(15) W/cm2). Numerical solutions of the full-dimensional time-dependent helium Schr?dinger equation show excellent agreement with the experimental measurements. The high-energy portion of the two-electron energy distributions reveals an unexpected 5U(p) cutoff for the double ionization (DI) process and leads to a proposed model for DI below the quasiclassical threshold.     

低强度周期量级脉冲驱动排列分子的非次序双电离

本文利用三维经典系综模型研究了低强度周期量级脉冲驱动排列分子的非次序双电离. 结果表明, 电子对的关联特性强烈地依赖于分子的排列方向和激光脉冲的载波包络相位; 垂直分子反关联电子对的比例总是高于平行分子反关联电子对的比例; 当载波包络相位从0到π 逐渐增加时, 反关联电子对的数目先增加再减少; 对于平行分子, 电子对的释放总是以正关联为主; 而垂直分子的主导关联模式则依赖于激光脉冲的载波包络相位, 当载波包络相位为0.3π-0.7π之间时, 电子对以反关联释放为主, 其他相位下以正关联为主. 本文利用分子势能曲线和电子返回能量很好地解释了电子关联特性对分子排列方向和载波包络相位的依赖关系.     

一维氦原子非依次电离的经典模拟

利用经典系综理论研究了强超短激光脉冲作用下的（一维）氦原子的非依次电离过程．通过对先后电离的两个电子的平均库仑势能和距核的平均距离的动力学模拟发现：在脉冲长度不变的条件下,长波长和高强度的超短激光脉冲更有助于非依次电离的发生． 关键词：     

Double ionization of helium interacting with elliptically polarized laser pulse by classical ensemble simulations

This paper uses the classical ensemble method to study the double ionization of a 2-dimensional (2D) model helium atom interacting with an elliptically polarized laser pulse. The classical ensemble calculation demonstrates that the ratio of double to single ionization decreases with the increasing ellipticity of the driving field. The classical scenario shows that there are hardly any e--e recollisions with the circularly polarized laser pulse. The double ionization probability is studied for linearly and circularly polarized laser pulses. The classical numerical results are consistent with the semiclassical rescattering mechanism and in agreement with the experimental results and the quantum calculations qualitatively.     

Electron correlations in nonsequential double ionization of argon atoms by elliptically polarized laser pulses

Using a classical ensemble model, we investigate the correlation behaviour of electrons originating from nonsequential double ionization (NSDI) of argon atoms by the elliptically polarized laser pulses. Because of the ellipticity, not only the first electron to return but also the later return of tunneled electrons contribute significantly to NSDI. We mainly discuss two kinds of events of NSDI originating from the first and the second return separately. For the NSDI resulting from the recollision of the first return, the correlated electron momentum spectrum along the long axis of the laser polarization plane reveals an obvious V-like shape, located at the first and third quadrant. However, for the NSDI resulting from the recollision of the second return, the momenta of two electrons are distributed in the four quadrants uniformly. By analysing the trajectories of these two kinds, we find that the recollision energy and the laser phase at recollision are different for the first and second returning trajectories, which are responsible for the difference in the correlated behavior of the final electron momentum.     

Dynamics simulation on interaction of intense laser pulses with atomic clusters

Under classical particle dynamics, the interaction process between intense femtosecond laser pulses and icosahedral noble-gas atomic clusters was studied. Our calculated results show that ionization proceeds mainly through tunnel ionization in the combined field from ions, electrons and laser, rather than the electron-impact ionization. With increasing cluster size, the average and maximum kinetic energy of the product ion increases. According to our calculation, the expansion process of the clusters after laser irradiation is dominated by Coulomb explosion and the expansion scale increases with increasing cluster size. The dependence of average kinetic energy and average charge state of the product ions on laser wavelength is also presented and discussed. The dependence of average kinetic energy on the number of atoms inside the cluster was studied and compared with the experimental data. Our results agree with the experimental results reasonably well.     

Measurement of Carrier-Envelope Phase and Field Strength of a Few-Cycle Pulse by Non-sequential Double Ionization

We propose a method to measure the carrier-envelop phase （CEP） and the intensity of a few-cycle pulse by controlling the non-sequentiai double ionization （NSDI） process. By using an additional static electric field, we can change the momentum distribution of the double-charged ions parallel to the laser polarization from an asymmetrical double-hump structure to a nearly symmetrical one. It is found that the ratio between the strength of the static electric field and that of the laser field is sensitive to the CEP but robust against the intensity fluctuation. Therefore we can determine the OEP of a few-cycle pulse precisely by measuring the static electric field. Fhrthermore, if the CEP of the few-cycle pulse is fixed at a certain value, we can also calibrate the intensity of the laser pulse by the static electric field.     

Exploration of strong-field double ionization of C_3H_6 with the structures of propene and cyclopropane in intense laser fields

By using classical ensemble method, we investigate the double ionization of C_3H_6 molecule with different structures(propene and cyclopropane) in intense laser fields. The numerical results show that the non-sequential double ionization occurs in propene molecule rather than cyclopropane molecule in 1200 nm laser field. To further explain this interesting phenomenon, the momentum distribution of double ionized electrons is presented and the result presents the "finger-like" structure at about 30 TW/cm~2 of propene molecule, and this structure is more obvious than that in cyclopropane molecule.The above phenomena are also demonstrated by analysing the energy distributions of double-ionized electrons versus time. Moreover, we also investigated the angular distribution at the end of pulse, which is different between propene and cyclopropane.