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Strong-field ionization rate depends on the sign of the magnetic quantum number
Thushani Herath1, Lu Yan, Suk Kyoung Lee
1Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA.
Abstract:
We report the first experimental observation of the dependence of strong-field ionization rate on the sign of the magnetic quantum number. We measure the strong-field sequential double ionization yield of argon by two time-delayed near-circularly polarized laser pulses. It is found that double-ionization yield is enhanced more than 3 times if two lasers have the opposite helicities. Analysis shows that the single ionization of both the neutral and ion prefer the same sign of the magnetic quantum number. A qualitative and intuitive model is proposed to help understand this phenomenon.
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