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High-Order Phase-Dependent Asymmetry in the Above-Threshold Ionization Plateau
M Kübel1, P Wustelt1, Y Zhang1
1Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Max-Wien-Platz 1, D-07743 Jena, Germany and Helmholtz Institute Jena, Fröbelstieg 3, D-07743 Jena, Germany.
Physical Review Letters
|April 2, 2021
Summary
Above-threshold ionization in cesium shows unusual electron energy spectra. Carrier-envelope phase (CEP) changes reveal a three-cycle oscillation, explained by quantum orbit interference.
Area of Science:
- Atomic Physics
- Quantum Optics
- Strong-Field Physics
Background:
- Above-threshold ionization (ATI) is a fundamental process in strong-field physics.
- The carrier-envelope phase (CEP) of laser pulses critically influences ATI dynamics.
- Understanding CEP effects is key to controlling electron wave packets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of CEP on ATI spectra of cesium.
- To explore the underlying quantum mechanical mechanisms responsible for observed spectral features.
- To analyze the role of quantum interference in high-order CEP dependence.
Main Methods:
- Experimental measurement of ATI spectra from cesium using 3.1 μm laser pulses.
- Systematic variation of the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) over a 0 to 2π range.
- Theoretical analysis using the improved strong-field approximation (SFA).
Main Results:
- Observed a three-cycle oscillation in the directional asymmetry of backscattered electron energies with changing CEP.
- Identified the interference of a few quantum orbits as the cause of this unusual high-order CEP dependence.
- Demonstrated that the phenomenon can be understood through an analogy with time-domain electron wave packet holography.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals a novel, high-order dependence of ATI spectra on CEP in cesium.
- Quantum interference of specific electron trajectories dictates the observed oscillatory behavior.
- Findings offer insights into controlling electron dynamics and potential applications in electron holography.
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