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A: Fachverband Atomphysik
A 36: Quantum dynamics in tailored waveforms
A 36.4: Talk
Friday, March 15, 2019, 12:00–12:15, S HS 3 Physik
Enhanced Ionization of H2+ in Strong Laser Fields — •Philipp Wustelt1,2, Max Möller1,2, A. Max Sayler1,2, Lun Yue3, Stefanie Gräfe3, and Gerhard G. Paulus1,2 — 1Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, D-07743 Jena, Germany — 2Helmholtz Institute Jena, D-07743 Jena, Germany — 3Institute of Physical Chemistry,Friedrich-Schiller University-Jena, Helmholtzweg 4, D-07743 Jena,Germany
Utilizing a benchmark measurement of laser-induced ionization of an H2+ molecular ion beam target at infrared wavelength around 2 µm, we demonstrate that the characteristic two-peak structure predicted for laser-induced enhanced ionization of H2+ and diatomic molecules in general [1], is a phenomenon which is confined to a small laser parameter space, where pulse duration and laser intensity are carefully balanced and the interplay between nuclear stretching dynamics and ionization allows for ionization from a broad nuclear wave packet.
Further, we control the effect experimentally and measure its imprint on the electron momentum. We replicate the behavior with simulations, which reproduce the measured kinetic-energy release as well as the correlated electron spectra. Based on this, a model, which both maps out the Goldilocks Zone and illustrates why enhanced ionization has proven so elusive in H2+, is derived. This directly address a longstanding debate, explains the elusive nature of enhanced ionization, and serves as a guide for how to manipulate laser parameters to coherently control the phenomenon.
[1] T. Zuo and A. D. Bandrauk, Phys. Rev. A 52, 2511 (1955)