Single and sequential double ionization of NO radical in intense laser fields

We examine the dependences of the single and double ionization probabilities of NO radical on the angle between the NO axis and the laser polarization direction in an intense laser field (790 nm, 100 fs, 1-10 x 10(14) W/cm(2)) and show that the double ionization is enhanced when the NO axis is parallel to the laser polarization direction. We reveal that the angular dependence of the sequential double ionization probability is determined by the shape of the 5 sigma orbital of NO+ from which the second photoelectron is emitted in the ionization from NO+ to NO2+. We also reveal that the fast oscillation in the probability of the tunnel ionization of NO originating from a coherent superposition of the two spin-orbit components in the electronic ground X-2 Pi state is described well based on the molecular Ammosov-Delone-Krainov (MO-ADK) theory in which the time evolution of the electron density distribution of the 2 pi orbital is taken into account. Published under an exclusive license by AIP Publishing.

Automated summary

This study examines the dependence of single and double ionization probabilities of NO radical on the angle between the NO axis and the laser polarization direction in an intense laser field. The results show that the double ionization is enhanced when the NO axis is parallel to the laser polarization direction. It is also revealed that the angular dependence of sequential double ionization probability is determined by the shape of the 5 sigma orbital of NO+.