Strong-field electron emission from gold needle tips

We show strong-field electron energy spectra from nanometric gold needle tips triggered by femtosecond laser pulses. For this, we use two different wavelengths, 800 nm with 12 fs pulse duration and 1550 nm with 170 fs pulse duration. With an extended plateau and cutoff of rescattered electrons, the recorded electron spectra show the tell-tale features of strong-field physics. Furthermore, the spectra clearly show above-threshold photoemission peaks. Such energy spectra are an ideal tool to benchmark current theory models.

Automated summary

We present strong-field electron energy spectra generated from nanometric gold needle tips using femtosecond laser pulses. Two different wavelengths, 800 nm with 12 fs pulse duration and 1550 nm with 170 fs pulse duration, were employed. The recorded electron spectra exhibit extended plateaus and cutoffs of rescattered electrons, indicating characteristic features of strong-field physics. Additionally, the spectra clearly exhibit above-threshold photoemission peaks, making them ideal for benchmarking current theory models.