Electron-electron momentum exchange in strong field double ionization -: art. no. 123004

We have investigated the momentum balance between the two electrons from strong field double ionization of argon at 780 nm and 1.9x10(14) W/cm(2). Experimental data show that perpendicular to the laser polarization direction the electrons emerge preferentially in opposite directions. Results of model calculations are found to agree well with the data and reveal a dominant role of the Coulomb correlation between the two outgoing electrons in this kinematical geometry. Differences between the experimental observations and the theoretical results for the ion momentum distribution indicate the importance of the further effects during the three-body breakup.