Pulse length effects in long wavelength driven non-sequential double ionization

We present a joint experimental and theoretical study of non-sequential double ionization (NSDI) in argon driven by a 3100 nm laser source. The correlated photoelectron momentum distribution (PMD) shows a strong dependence on the pulse duration, and the evolution of the PMD can be explained by an envelope-induced intensity effect. Determined by the time difference between tunneling and rescattering, the laser vector potential at the ionization time of the bound electron will be influenced by the pulse duration, leading to different drift momenta. Such a mechanism is extracted through a classical trajectory Monte Carlo-based model and it can be further confirmed by quantum mechanical simulations. This work sheds light on the importance of the pulse duration in NSDI and improves our understanding of the strong field tunnel-recollision dynamics under mid-IR laser fields.

Automated summary

This study investigates the non-sequential double ionization (NSDI) in argon induced by a 3100 nm laser source through joint experimental and theoretical approaches. The correlated photoelectron momentum distribution (PMD) is found to strongly depend on the pulse duration, which can be explained by an envelope-induced intensity effect. The laser vector potential at the ionization time of the bound electron is influenced by the pulse duration, leading to different drift momenta. This work highlights the significance of pulse duration in NSDI and enhances our understanding of strong field tunnel-recollision dynamics under mid-IR laser fields.