Double-electron above threshold ionization of helium

We present calculations of intense-field multiphoton ionization processes in helium at XUV wavelengths. The calculations are obtained from a full-dimensional integration of the two-electron time-dependent Schrödinger equation. A momentum-space analysis of the ionizing two-electron wavepacket reveals the existence of double-electron above threshold ionization (DATI). In momentum-space two distinct forms of DATI are resolved, namely non-sequential and sequential. In non-sequential DATI correlated electrons resonantly absorb and share energy in integer units of Ïlaser.

Secondary threshold laws for multiple ionization of atoms

We propose a physical mechanism that leads to the emergence of secondary threshold laws in processes of multiple ionization of atoms. We argue that the removal of n electrons (n>2) from a many-electron atom may proceed via intermediate resonant states of the corresponding doubly charged ion. For atoms such as rare gases, the density of such resonances in the vicinity of subsequent ionization thresholds is high. As a result, the appearance energies for multiply charged ions are close to these thresholds, while the effective power indices mu in the near-threshold energy dependence of the cross section, sigmaproportional toE(mu), are lower compared to those from the Wannier theory. This provides a possible explanation of the recent experimental results of B. Gstir [Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. B 205, 413 (2003)].

Electron-impact ionization of atomic hydrogen close to threshold

A systematic study of the ionization of atomic hydrogen by electron impact from 0.3 eV to a few eV above the ionization threshold has been carried out using a semiclassical-quantal calculation. Differential and integrated cross sections are presented at 0.3 eV above the energy threshold. Triple- differential cross sections (TDCS) are presented at constant theta(12) geometry where theta(12)=180degrees and 150degrees. Good agreement is achieved with the measurement [Roder, Phys. Rev. Lett. 79, 1666 (1997)] and calculations based on exterior complex scaling at 2 eV and 4 eV above threshold. Results of triple-differential cross sections are also presented at 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0 eV above threshold at both theta(12)=180degrees and 150degrees. At theta(12)=180degrees the small local maximum in the TDCS around theta(1)=90degrees reported by Pan and Starace [Phys. Rev. A 45, 4588 (1992)] at 0.5 eV above threshold is not observed in our calculation at energies down to 0.3 eV above threshold. The shape of our double differential cross sections seems to disagree qualitatively with the available calculations as we found two local maxima around 15degrees and 165degrees in our calculation. Single differential cross sections in our formulation appear naturally as a function of total excess energy E and, therefore, constant for all combinations of individual electron energies E-1 and E- 2 with E=E-1+E-2. Total ionization cross sections are also compared with measurement and available theoretical calculations and found to be in reasonably good agreement up to 10 eV above ionization threshold.

Semiclassical-quantal approach to the near-threshold ionization of hydrogen

A recent improved version of the semiclassical-quantal approach has been applied to the e(-)-H near-threshold ionization for theta (12) = 180 degrees geometry. It is found, that unlike other sophisticated theoretical methods such as distorted wave theory or convergent close-coupling calculation, the present relatively simpler approach produces correct behavior and numerical values for the triple-differential cross sections. We compare our results with recent absolute measurements and accurate numerical calculations at 2 eV and 4 eV above the threshold at constant theta (12) geometry.

Electron impact ionization of He above the threshold

Near-threshold ionization of He has been studied by using a uniform semiclassical wavefunction for the two outgoing electrons in the final channel. The quantum mechanical transition amplitude for the direct and exchange scattering derived earlier by using the Kohn variational principle has been used to calculate the triple differential cross sections. Contributions from singlets and triplets are critically examined near the threshold for coplanar asymmetric geometry with equal energy sharing by the two outgoing electrons. It is found that in general the tripler contribution is much smaller compared to its singlet counterpart. However, at unequal scattering angles such as theta (1) = 60 degrees, theta (2) = 120 degrees the smaller peaks in the triplet contribution enhance both primary and secondary TDCS peaks. Significant improvements of the primary peak in the TDCS are obtained for the singlet results both in symmetric and asymmetric geometry indicating the need to treat the classical action variables without any approximation. Convergence of these cross sections are also achieved against the higher partial waves. Present results are compared with absolute and relative measurements of Rosel et al (1992 Phys. Rev. A 46 2539) and Selles et al (1987 J. Phys. B. At. Mel. Phys. 20 5195) respectively.

Above Threshold Dissociation of Vibrationally Cold HD+ Molecules

The experimental study of molecular dissociation of H2+ by intense laser pulses is complicated by the fact that the ions are initially produced in a wide range of vibrational states, each of which responds differently to the laser field. An electrostatic storage device has been used to radiatively cool HD+ ions enabling the observation of above threshold dissociation from the ground vibrational state by 40 fs laser pulses at 800 nm. At the highest intensities used, dissociation through the absorption of at least four photons is found to be the dominant process.