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Measurement of Ultrafast Vibrational Coherences in Polyatomic Radical Cations with Strong-Field Adiabatic Ionization
Published on: August 6, 2018
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Dissecting Strong-Field Excitation Dynamics with Atomic-Momentum Spectroscopy
A W Bray1,2, U Eichmann2, S Patchkovskii2
1Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia.
Physical Review Letters
|July 1, 2020
Summary
We propose using atomic motion to monitor quantum dynamics within atoms and molecules interacting with intense laser fields. This method allows for femtosecond-level reconstruction of strong-field excitation processes.
Area of Science:
- Quantum Dynamics
- Strong-Field Physics
- Atomic and Molecular Physics
Background:
- Observing internal quantum dynamics requires understanding correlations with measurement apparatus.
- Nonperturbative laser fields present challenges for monitoring atomic and molecular internal dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a novel method for observing internal quantum dynamics using the center-of-mass (c.m.) degrees of freedom of atoms and molecules.
- To demonstrate this method on a hydrogen atom in an intense infrared laser field.
Main Methods:
- Development of a numerically tractable, quantum-mechanical treatment for internal and c.m. dynamics correlations.
- Utilizing transverse momentum as a record of excited state interactions with the laser field.
Main Results:
- Femtosecond reconstruction of strong-field excitation processes is achieved by analyzing transverse momentum.
- Observation of the ground state becoming weak-field seeking, a signature of the Kramers-Henneberger regime.
Conclusions:
- The c.m. motion of atoms and molecules can serve as an intrinsic probe for their internal quantum dynamics.
- This approach provides a new pathway for studying quantum phenomena in strong laser fields.
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