Probing the launching position of the electron wave packet in molecule strong-field tunneling ionization

Strong-field tunneling ionization is the first step for a broad class of phenomena in intense laser-atom/molecule interactions. Accurate information about the electron wave packet from strong-field tunneling ionization of atoms and molecules is of essential importance for understanding various tunneling ionization triggered processes. Here, we survey the property of the electron wave packet in tunneling ionization of molecules with a method based on strong-field photoelectron holography. By solving the time-dependent Schrodinger equation, it is shown that the holographic interference in the photoelectron momentum distribution exhibits the asymmetric behavior with respect to the laser polarization direction, when the molecule is aligned with a nonzero angle to the linearly polarized laser field. We demonstrate that this asymmetry is due to the nonzero initial transverse displacement of the electron wave packet at tunneling. By analyzing the holographic interference, this transverse displacement for the launching of electron wave packet tunneling from the molecules is accurately retrieved. This displacement is directly related to the electron density distribution in molecules, and thus our work developed a novel concept for probing electronic structure in molecules.

Automated summary

In this study, the property of the electron wave packet in tunneling ionization of molecules is investigated using a method based on strong-field photoelectron holography. The asymmetric behavior in the holographic interference with respect to the laser polarization direction is demonstrated, which is attributed to the nonzero initial transverse displacement of the electron wave packet at tunneling. This displacement, accurately retrieved through analyzing the holographic interference, is directly related to the electron density distribution in molecules and presents a novel concept for probing electronic structure in molecules.