Ellipticity controlled dissociative double ionization of ethane by strong fields

Area of Science:

• Strong field physics
• Molecular dynamics
• Quantum chemistry

Background:

• Ethane dications are formed via strong field double ionization.
• Understanding dissociation pathways is crucial for molecular control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure dissociation channel yields of ethane dications.
• To investigate the control of branching ratios using laser ellipticity.
• To elucidate the underlying ionization mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Experimental measurement of dissociation channel yields.
• Varying laser pulse ellipticity.
• Theoretical calculations of ionization pathways.

Main Results:

• Branching ratios of ethane dication dissociation channels were measured.
• Laser ellipticity significantly controls dissociation pathways.
• CH3+ and H+ formation channels exhibit competing behaviors with maximum and minimum yields at ~0.6 ellipticity.
• Ellipticity-dependent sequential ionization pathways were identified.

Conclusions:

• Laser pulse ellipticity offers a powerful tool for controlling molecular dissociation.
• The observed control is attributed to the dependence of sequential ionization pathways on laser ellipticity.