Precise and Accurate Measurements of Strong-Field Photoionization and a Transferable Laser Intensity Calibration...

Area of Science:

• Atomic and Molecular Physics
• Attosecond Science
• Strong Field Physics

Background:

• Accurate ionization yield data are crucial for understanding atomic and molecular processes in strong laser fields, particularly in attosecond science.
• Currently, reliable data are primarily available only for atomic hydrogen, limiting broader research.
• Noble gas atoms like argon, krypton, and xenon are widely studied but lack precise ionization yield benchmarks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present percent-level accurate measurements of ionization yields for argon, krypton, and xenon.
• To establish a transferable calibration standard for laser peak intensity based on these measurements.
• To provide benchmark data for validating theoretical models of strong-field ionization in noble gases.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a strong laser field regime common in attosecond science.
• Calibrating measurements using atomic hydrogen (H) as a reference.
• Developing a simple reference curve for deriving a laser peak intensity calibration standard.

Main Results:

• Achieved percent-level accuracy for ionization yield measurements in argon, krypton, and xenon.
• Derived a laser peak intensity calibration standard accurate to 1.3%.
• The calibration standard is transferable and based on a simple reference curve.

Conclusions:

• The study provides the first percent-level accurate ionization yield data for common noble gases.
• A reliable and transferable laser intensity calibration standard is now available for attosecond science.
• These findings offer essential benchmarks for refining theoretical models of atomic ionization, including the single-active electron approximation.