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Displacing Rydberg Electrons: The Mono-Cycle Nature of Half-Cycle Pulses

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters
A THz 'half-cycle' pulse is a fast (<1 ps ) unipolar pulse, followed by a slow unipolar pulse of opposite polarity. We found that the interaction of such THz pulses with very high Rydberg states results in a displacement of the electron within the atom, while the ionization is strongly suppressed. In classical terms: the first fast unipolar feature corresponds to a start kick of the Rydberg electron, while the second unipolar feature acts as a stop kick. A semiclassical model is presented which qualitatively reproduces the ionization suppression and redistribution.
Sponsoring Organization:
(US)
OSTI ID:
40230997
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 87; ISSN 0031-9007
Publisher:
The American Physical Society
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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