Ionization of oriented targets by intense circularly polarized laser pulses: Imprints of orbital angular nodes in the two-dimensional momentum distribution

Journal Article · Tue Jun 15 00:00:00 EDT 2010 · Physical Review. A

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVA.81.063418· OSTI ID:21437927

Martiny, C P. J.; Abu-samha, M; Madsen, L B ^[1]

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1. Lundbeck Foundation Theoretical Center for Quantum System Research, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus C (Denmark)

We solve the three-dimensional time-dependent Schroedinger equation for a few-cycle circularly polarized femtosecond laser pulse that interacts with an oriented target exemplified by an argon atom, initially in a 3p{sub x} or 3p{sub y} state. The photoelectron momentum distributions show distinct signatures of the orbital structure of the initial state as well as the carrier-envelope phase of the applied pulse. Our ab initio results are compared with results obtained using the length-gauge strong-field approximation, which allows for a clear interpretation of the results in terms of classical physics. Furthermore, we show that ionization by a circularly polarized pulse completely maps out the angular nodal structure of the initial state, thus providing a potential tool for studying orbital symmetry in individual systems or during chemical reactions.

• OSTI ID: 21437927
• Journal Information: Physical Review. A, Vol. 81, Issue 6; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.81.063418; (c) 2010 The American Physical Society; ISSN 1050-2947
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
APPROXIMATIONS
ARGON
ATOMS
IONIZATION
LASER RADIATION
PHOTON-ATOM COLLISIONS
POLARIZATION
POTENTIALS
PULSES
SCHROEDINGER EQUATION
TIME DEPENDENCE
ATOM COLLISIONS
CALCULATION METHODS
COLLISIONS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
EQUATIONS
FLUIDS
GASES
NONMETALS
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PHOTON COLLISIONS
RADIATIONS
RARE GASES
WAVE EQUATIONS