Absolute Measurement of Laser Ionization Yield in Atmospheric Pressure Range Gases over 14 Decades

Journal Article · 06 January 2020 · Physical Review Letters

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.124.013201 · OSTI ID:1801162

Woodbury, D.  ^[1]; Schwartz, R.  M. ^[2]; Rockafellow, E.  ^[2]; Wahlstrand, J.  K. ^[3]; Milchberg, H.  M.  ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Maryland, College Park, MD (United States); OSTI
2. Univ. of Maryland, College Park, MD (United States)
3. National Inst. of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD (United States)

Strong-field ionization is central to intense laser-matter interactions. However, standard ionization measurements have been limited to extremely low density gas samples, ignoring potential high density effects. Here, we measure strong-field ionization in atmospheric pressure range air, N₂, and Ar over 14 decades of absolute yield, using mid-IR picosecond avalanche multiplication of single electrons. In this work, our results are consistent with theoretical rates for isolated atoms and molecules and quantify the ubiquitous presence of ultralow concentration gas contaminants that can significantly affect laser-gas interactions.

• Research Organization: Krell Institute, Ames, IA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA); US Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR); US Department of the Navy, Office of Naval Research (ONR); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Grant/Contract Number: NA0003864
• OSTI ID: 1801162
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 124; ISSN 0031-9007
• Publisher: American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English