Variable time lag and backward ejection in full-dimensional analysis of strong-field double ionization

Ensembles of 400 000 two-electron trajectories in three space dimensions are used with Newtonian equations of motion to track atomic double ionization under very strong laser fields. We report a variable time lag between e-e collision and double ionization, and find that the time lag plays a key role in the emergence directions of the electrons. These are precursors to production of electron momentum distributions showing substantial new agreement with experimental data.