History-dependent effects in subcycle-waveform strong-field ionization

Kolesik, M., Brown, J.M., Moloney, J.V. and Faccio, D. (2014) History-dependent effects in subcycle-waveform strong-field ionization. Physical Review A: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, 90(3), 033414. (doi: 10.1103/PhysRevA.90.033414)

Abstract

Recent developments in laser sources allow one to shape the precise electric-field waveform oscillation at the subcycle level. These waveforms may then be used to drive and control ultrafast nonlinear phenomena at the attosecond timescale. By utilizing numerical solutions of time-dependent Schrödinger equations and exact solutions of a simple quantum-mechanical system, we show that an atom driven by such sources exhibit coherent history-dependent effects. These manifest themselves in “macroscopic” quantities such as the yield in multicolor, strong-field ionization. We argue that weakly bound, metastable electronic states may enable the dependence on the system history even in long-duration, relatively weak driving waveforms.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Faccio, Professor Daniele
• Authors: Kolesik, M., Brown, J.M., Moloney, J.V., and Faccio, D.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Journal Name: Physical Review A: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
• Publisher: American Physical Society
• ISSN: 1050-2947
• ISSN (Online): 1094-1622