Coherent Terahertz Echo of Tunnel Ionization in Gases

Journal Article · Fri Mar 06 00:00:00 EST 2009 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.102.093001· OSTI ID:21180261

Karpowicz, N; Zhang, X -C ^[1]

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1. Center for Terahertz Research, Department of Physics, Applied Physics and Astronomy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180 (United States)

We study tunnel ionized electron wave packet dynamics during the initial transition from a gas to a plasma by detecting the terahertz radiation emitted in the process. Experimental and theoretical results show that much of the observed radiation is due to coherent buildup of bremsstrahlung released during the first electron-atom collision. Coherent control of the tunnel ionization process combined with ab initio modeling provides a real-time view of the initial stages of the formation of a laser-induced plasma and allows us to fully understand this important source of terahertz radiation.

• OSTI ID: 21180261
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 102, Issue 9; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.093001; (c) 2009 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
ELECTRON-ATOM COLLISIONS
ELECTRONS
GASES
IONIZATION
PLASMA
SIMULATION
WAVE PACKETS