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Stabilization of helium in intense xuv laser fields
T Birkeland1, R Nepstad, M Førre
1Department of Mathematics, University of Bergen, N-5007 Bergen, Norway.
Physical Review Letters
|May 21, 2010
Summary
Electron-electron repulsion in helium atoms negatively impacts atomic stabilization in intense laser fields, especially with short pulses. Double ionization shows the clearest stabilization signature, unlike simplified models.
Area of Science:
- Quantum mechanics
- Atomic physics
- Strong-field laser physics
Background:
- Atomic stabilization is a phenomenon where atoms exposed to intense laser fields become less likely to ionize.
- Electron-electron correlation, the interaction between electrons, is crucial in multi-electron systems like helium.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of electron-electron correlation on helium ionization dynamics in high-frequency laser fields.
- To analyze the effect of electron repulsion on atomic stabilization, particularly for short laser pulses.
Main Methods:
- Solving the time-dependent Schrödinger equation from first principles for helium atoms.
- Simulating ionization dynamics under intense, high-frequency laser fields.
Main Results:
- Observed a decrease in total ionization yield at high field strengths, indicating atomic stabilization.
- Found that electron-electron repulsion detrimentally affects the degree of stabilization, especially for short pulses.
- Double ionization channels showed a more distinct stabilization signature, being less affected by two-electron effects.
Conclusions:
- Electron-electron correlation significantly modifies ionization dynamics and stabilization in helium.
- One-dimensional models commonly used to study correlation effects tend to overestimate their impact.
- Double ionization is a more robust indicator of stabilization in the presence of electron correlation.
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