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At least 1,279 records · Page 71

Phase-retrieval algorithm for the characterization of broadband single attosecond pulses

Recent progress in high-order harmonic generation with few-cycle mid-infrared wavelength lasers has pushed light pulses into the water-window region and beyond. These pulses have the bandwidth to support single attosecond pulses down to a few tens of attoseconds. However, the present available techniques for attosecond pulse measurement are not applicable to such pulses. Here we report a phase-retrieval method using the standard photoelectron streaking technique where an attosecond pulse is converted into its electron replica through photoionization of atoms in the presence of a time-delayed infrared laser. The iterative algorithm allows accurate reconstruction of the spectral phase of light pulses, from the extreme-ultraviolet (XUV) to soft x-rays, with pulse durations from hundreds down to a few tens of attoseconds. At the same time, the streaking laser fields, including short pulses that span a few octaves, can also be accurately retrieved. Furthermore, such well-characterized single attosecond pulses in the XUV to the soft-x-ray region are required for time-resolved probing of inner-shell electronic dynamics of matter at their own timescale of a few tens of attoseconds.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Enhanced Nonlinear Double Excitation of He in Intense Extreme Ultraviolet Laser Fields

Nonlinear, three-photon double excitation of He in intense extreme ultraviolet free-electron laser fields ({approx}24.1 eV, {approx}5 TW/cm{sup 2}) is presented. Resonances to the doubly excited states converging to the He{sup +} N=3 level are revealed by the shot-by-shot photoelectron spectroscopy and identified by theoretical calculations based on the time-dependent Schroedinger equation for the two-electron atom under a laser field. It is shown that the three-photon double excitation is enhanced by intermediate Rydberg states below the first ionization threshold, giving a greater contribution to the photoionization yields than the two-photon process by more than 1 order of magnitude.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Trapping Rydberg Atoms in an Optical Lattice

Rubidium Rydberg atoms are laser excited and subsequently trapped in a one-dimensional optical lattice (wavelength 1064 nm). Efficient trapping is achieved by a lattice inversion immediately after laser excitation using an electro-optic technique. The trapping efficiency is probed via analysis of the trap-induced shift of the two-photon microwave transition 50S{yields}51S. The inversion technique allows us to reach a trapping efficiency of 90%. The dependence of the efficiency on the timing of the lattice inversion and on the trap laser power is studied. The dwell time of 50D{sub 5/2} Rydberg atoms in the lattice is analyzed using lattice-induced photoionization.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Terahertz-Field-Induced Time Shifts in Atomic Photoemission

Time delays for atomic photoemission obtained in streaking or reconstruction of attosecond bursts by interference of two-photon transitions experiments originate from a combination of the quantum mechanical Wigner time and the Coulomb-laser coupling. While the former was investigated intensively theoretically as well as experimentally, the latter attracted less interest in experiments and has mostly been subject to calculations. Here, we present a measurement of the Coulomb-laser coupling-induced time shifts in photoionization of neon at 59.4 eV using a terahertz (THz) streaking field (λ = 152 μm). Employing a reaction microscope at the THz beamline of the free-electron laser in Hamburg (FLASH), we have measured relative time shifts of up to 70 fs between the emission of 2 p photoelectrons (~38 eV) and low-energetic (< 1 eV) photoelectrons. Finally, a comparison with theoretical predictions on Coulomb-laser coupling reveals reasonably good agreement.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Molybdenum and silver photoemission survey spectra from hard x-rays

Electron emission from thick polished samples of polycrystalline molybdenum (Mo) and single crystalline $\langle$111$\rangle$ silver (Ag) was measured with hard x-ray photoemission spectroscopy. Six different excitation x-ray energies were used, nominally 8.0, 11.0, 13.0, 15.0, 18.0, and 21.5 keV. Survey spectra were recorded with each excitation to a kinetic energy of at most 15 keV, often capturing the entire emission range. The Mo 1s core peak was measured. Detailed LMM Auger spectra of Mo show marked increases in intensity and altered shape when x-ray energy exceeds the Mo 1s binding energy. The Mo and Ag L-shell photoelectron peaks are measured at four x-ray energies up to 18 keV showing the transition from 2p3/2 to 2s photoionization dominance.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Nonlinear polarization response of a gaseous medium in the regime of atom stabilization in a strong radiation field

The nonlinear polarization response of a quantum system modeling a silver atom in the field of high-intensity radiation in the IR and UV spectral ranges has been studied by direct numerical integration of a nonstationary Schroedinger equation. The domains of applicability of perturbation theory and polarization expansion in powers of the field intensity are determined. The contribution of excited atoms and electrons in a continuum to the atomic polarization response at the field frequency, which arises due to the radiation-induced excitation and photoionization processes, is analyzed. Features of the nonlinear response to an external field under conditions of atom stabilization are considered.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Dynamics of photoprocesses induced by femtosecond infrared radiation in free molecules and clusters of iron pentacarbonyl

The dynamics of photoprocesses induced by femtosecond infrared radiation in free Fe(CO){sub 5} molecules and their clusters owing to the resonant excitation of vibrations of CO bonds in the 5-μm range has been studied. The technique of infrared excitation and photoionization probing (λ = 400 nm) by femtosecond pulses has been used in combination with time-of-flight mass spectrometry. It has been found that an infrared pulse selectively excites vibrations of CO bonds in free molecules, which results in a decrease in the yield of the Fe(CO){sub 5}{sup +} molecular ion. Subsequent relaxation processes have been analyzed and the results have been interpreted. The time of the energy transfer from excited vibrations to other vibrations of the molecule owing to intramolecular relaxation has been measured. The dynamics of dissociation of [Fe(CO){sub 5}]{sub n} clusters irradiated by femtosecond infrared radiation has been studied. The time dependence of the yield of free molecules has been measured under different infrared laser excitation conditions. We have proposed a model that well describes the results of the experiment and makes it possible, in particular, to calculate the profile of variation of the temperature of clusters within the “evaporation ensemble” concept. The intramolecular and intracluster vibrational relaxation rates in [Fe(CO){sub 5}]{sub n} clusters have been estimated.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Ab initio calculation of double ionization of atoms

The Solov'ev-Vinitsky method was used to perform an ab initio calculation of the triple-differential cross section for the double single-photon photoionization of helium for the case of equal emitted-electron energies. A Gaussian width {gamma} describing angular electron-electron correlations at the total electron energy E taking values in range between 0.1 and 100 eV was obtained for this cross section. The results agree with available experimental data, but they raise a doubt as to whether the well-known Wannier law {gamma} {proportional_to} E{sup 1/4} is applicable at experimentally accessible energies. The Gaussian width {gamma} was investigated as a function of the total emitted-electron energy for targets that have a strongly asymmetric configuration of the initial state-specifically, a negative atomic-hydrogen ion H{sup -} and heliumin the 1s2s{sup 1}S and 1s3s{sup 1}S excited states. It was found that this function, {gamma}(E), had a maximum at low energies. It was also shown that, at low energies, the dependence of the double-differential cross section on the angle between the emitted-electron momenta for the targets indicated above differed substantially from the Gaussian dependence, featuring maxima whose number was equal to the number of radial nodes in the initial state. This opens new possibilities for a qualitative analysis of the electron structure of targets.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Leaky unstable modes and electromagnetic radiation amplification by an anisotropic plasma slab

The interaction between electromagnetic radiation and a photoionized plasma slab with an anisotropic electron velocity distribution is studied. It is shown that the fields of leaky modes are amplified due to the development of aperiodic instability in the slab, which leads to an increase in both the reflected and transmitted fields. The transmitted field can significantly increase only if the slab thickness does not exceed the ratio of the speed of light to the electron plasma frequency, whereas there is no upper bound on the slab thickness for the reflected signal to be amplified.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Study of the impurity photoconductivity in p-InSb using epitaxial p{sup +} contacts

The optical absorption coefficient α in p{sup +}-InSb layers (with hole concentrations of p ≈ 1 × 10{sup 17}–1.2 × 10{sup 19} cm{sup –3}), grown by liquid-phase epitaxy on p-InSb substrates, is measured in the spectral range of 5-12 µm at 90 K, and the impurity photoconductivity is measured (at 60 and 90 K) in p{sup +}–p structures. It is found that a in the p{sup +} layers reaches a value of 7000 cm{sup –1} (at p ≈ 2 × 10{sup 19} cm{sup –1}). It is shown that the measured substrate value of (α ≈1–3 cm{sup –1}) is overestimated in comparison with estimates (α ≈ 0.1 cm{sup –1}) based on comparing the photoconductivity data. This discrepancy is explained by the fact that the optical transitions of holes responsible for photoconductivity are obscured by the excitation of electrons to the conduction band. The photoionization cross section for these transitions does not exceed 1 × 10{sup –15} cm{sup 2}.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Polarization of the induced THz emission of donors in silicon

The polarization of the terahertz (4.9–6.4 THz) stimulated emission of Group-V (Sb, P, As, Bi) donors in single-crystal silicon under pumping (photoionization) by a CO{sub 2} laser (photon energy 117 meV), depending on the uniaxial compressive deformation of the crystal along the [100] axis, is experimentally investigated. The influence of the field direction of the pump wave on its efficiency is discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A density functional theory based comparative study of hybrid photoemissions from Cl@C 60 , Br@C 60 and I@C 60

Photoionization from atom-C 60 hybrid levels in halogen endofullerene molecules, Cl@C 60 , Br@C 60 and I@C 60 , are calculated using a linear response density functional method. Both the ordinary electron-configuration where the open shell halogen is at the center of C 60 and the stable configuration after the atom receives an electron from C 60 to form a closed shell anion are considered. Similar ground state hybridization is found for all three systems while, in general, a slight weakening of the effect is noticed after the electron transfer. At lower photon energies, cross sections of the outer hybrid levels attain identical shapes from enhancements driven by the C 60 plasmon resonances, while the higher energy emissions remain distinguishable from the differences in atomic responses. These results further show near insensitivity to the choice of a configuration. The inner hybrid cross sections in general exhibit similar overall structures, although differ in details between molecules. Furthermore, for these states the results significantly differ before and after the electron transfer – a feature that can be useful to experimentally determine the real configuration of the molecules via photoelectron spectroscopy.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Electronic structure and dynamics of confined atoms

Confined atomic systems are of great importance owing a multitude of possible applications in various areas of science and technology. Of particular interest are atoms encaged in the C 60 molecule, A@C 60 , since the near-spherical symmetry of C 60 simplifies theoretical studies, and the stability of C 60 renders it amenable to experimental examination. Herein a review of investigations of the electronic structure and dynamics of A@C 60 is presented in this manuscript focusing on developments in the last decade. Addressed mainly are how the confinement affects electronic structure properties such as ionization potentials, localization of atomic electrons, Shannon entropy, correlation effects, relativistic interactions, and others. In the area of dynamics, photoionization and e-A@C 60 scattering are reviewed and summarized, and the major effects of confinement on the dynamical properties, e.g., confinement resonances, hybridization, Wigner time delay, are delineated.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Detailed Investigations of Interactions between Ionizing Radiation and Neutral Gases

We are investigating phenomena that stem from the many body dynamics associated with ionization of an atom or molecule by photon or charged particle. Our program is funded through the Department of Energy EPSCoR Laboratory Partnership Award in collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. We are using variations on the well established COLTRIMS technique to measure ions and electrons ejected during these interactions. Photoionization measurements take place at the Advanced Light Source at LBNL as part of the ALS-COLTRIMS collaboration with the groups of Reinhard Dörner at Frankfurt and Ali Belkacem at LBNL. Additional experiments on charged particle impact are conducted locally at Auburn University where we are studying the dissociative molecular dynamics following interactions with either ions or electrons over a velocity range of 1 to 12 atomic units.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

ZAPP shot summary

This was the second Z Astrophysical Plasma Properties (ZAPP) fundamental science shot series of 2015. ZAPP experiments measure fundamental properties of atoms in plasmas to solve the following important astrophysical puzzles: Why can’t we accurately model the opacity of Fe at the convection zone boundary in the Sun? How accurate are the photoionization models used to interpret data from xray satellite observations? and Why doesn’t spectral fitting provide the correct properties for White Dwarfs?

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

2D Modeling of Plasma Streamer and Glow Phases at Ammonia-Air Flame Conditions

Streamer and glow plasma phases have been modeled at two thermochemical states of an ammonia-air flame: fresh reactants and burnt products. A new AMReX-based solver has been verified against benchmarks in the literature and has been used to perform these simulations. A Helmholtz-equation based photoionization model with parameters accounting for the presence of NH3 in air has been coupled with the solver to accurately model the streamer propagation phase. A detailed plasma kinetics mechanism has been compiled and used to predict the evolution of electrons, excited states, ions, and radicals during streamer propagation and glow formation. The propagation velocity of streamers was found increase by almost two-fold when the mixture was changed from the fresh reactants to the burnt products. Moreover, vibrational excitation was found to be limited to the streamer body, whereas ionization predominantly occurred at the streamer head, as is expected. Finally, the differences in the pathways of O and H radical production during the streamer propagation and glow phases have been briefly discussed.

ammonia-air flame↗

The Spin-Orbit Interaction: A Small Force with Large Implications

The spin-orbit interaction is quite small compared to electrostatic forces in atoms. Nevertheless, this small interaction can have large consequences. Several examples of the importance of the spin-orbit force in atomic photoionization are presented and explained.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

MODEL-OBSERVATION COMPARISONS OF ELECTRON NUMBER DENSITIES IN THE COMA OF 67P/CHURYUMOV–GERASIMENKO DURING 2015 JANUARY

During 2015 January 9–11, at a heliocentric distance of ∼2.58–2.57 au, the ESA Rosetta spacecraft resided at a cometocentric distance of ∼28 km from the nucleus of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, sweeping the terminator at northern latitudes of 43°N–58°N. Measurements by the Rosetta Orbiter Spectrometer for Ion and Neutral Analysis/Comet Pressure Sensor (ROSINA/COPS) provided neutral number densities. We have computed modeled electron number densities using the neutral number densities as input into a Field Free Chemistry Free model, assuming H{sub 2}O dominance and ion-electron pair formation by photoionization only. A good agreement (typically within 25%) is found between the modeled electron number densities and those observed from measurements by the Mutual Impedance Probe (RPC/MIP) and the Langmuir Probe (RPC/LAP), both being subsystems of the Rosetta Plasma Consortium. This indicates that ions along the nucleus-spacecraft line were strongly coupled to the neutrals, moving radially outward with about the same speed. Such a statement, we propose, can be further tested by observations of H{sub 3}O{sup +}/H{sub 2}O{sup +} number density ratios and associated comparisons with model results.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗