Periodic Reporting for period 1 - 3DTunneling (Tunnel ionization in three-dimensional tailored light fields)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-06-01 bis 2025-11-30
The project “Tunnel ionization in three-dimensional tailored light fields” aims at the experimental investigation of strong field ionization using a novel class of laser fields, namely three-dimensional (3D) light fields. Previously, the electric field vectors of laser fields were restricted to a two-dimensional polarization plane that is perpendicular to the light’s propagation direction. Thus, quantum mechanical processes such as strong field tunneling were only studied in two-dimensional (2D) laser fields.
One important technique to study strong field ionization is coincident momentum spectroscopy, where all charged fragments upon ionization are measured in coincidence. Such experiments can already measure the 3D momenta of all charged particles. However, the use of 2D light fields limited the generality of the approach.
Our goal within this project is to lift this geometric limitation by synthesizing 3D light fields and building a 3D-light/3D-detection platform to increase the sensitivity of strong-field tunneling to the 3D properties of atomic and molecular orbitals with sub-nanometer and attosecond resolution. We will study 3D quantum properties of atoms, diatomic molecules, and chiral molecules.
One important technique to study strong field ionization is coincident momentum spectroscopy, where all charged fragments upon ionization are measured in coincidence. Such experiments can already measure the 3D momenta of all charged particles. However, the use of 2D light fields limited the generality of the approach.
Our goal within this project is to lift this geometric limitation by synthesizing 3D light fields and building a 3D-light/3D-detection platform to increase the sensitivity of strong-field tunneling to the 3D properties of atomic and molecular orbitals with sub-nanometer and attosecond resolution. We will study 3D quantum properties of atoms, diatomic molecules, and chiral molecules.
Since starting the project on 1 June 2023, we have focused on planning and building the novel experimental setup that will serve as a 3D-light/3D-detection platform.
To design the novel type of 3D-light/3D-detection platform, we worked on the details of the main components of our setup, which are the vacuum chamber and the optical setup. Next, we prepared technical drawings for the entire vacuum chamber that hosts a tailored supersonic jet system, the electron and ion spectrometer, as well as coincident multi-particle detectors with time- and position resolution. While ordering the parts for the vacuum chamber, we started the design of the optical setup, bought a new laser system, and performed first commissioning experiments.
In order to bridge the natural gap in output that arises from building the new experimental setup, we conducted a classical two-step (CTS) simulation with initial conditions at the tunnel exit from a simulation based on strong-field approximation (SFA). The simulation showed impressive results and has been submitted for publication (arXiv:2504.08573). It is found that it is possible to produce chiral electron momentum distributions using realistic experimental conditions.
To design the novel type of 3D-light/3D-detection platform, we worked on the details of the main components of our setup, which are the vacuum chamber and the optical setup. Next, we prepared technical drawings for the entire vacuum chamber that hosts a tailored supersonic jet system, the electron and ion spectrometer, as well as coincident multi-particle detectors with time- and position resolution. While ordering the parts for the vacuum chamber, we started the design of the optical setup, bought a new laser system, and performed first commissioning experiments.
In order to bridge the natural gap in output that arises from building the new experimental setup, we conducted a classical two-step (CTS) simulation with initial conditions at the tunnel exit from a simulation based on strong-field approximation (SFA). The simulation showed impressive results and has been submitted for publication (arXiv:2504.08573). It is found that it is possible to produce chiral electron momentum distributions using realistic experimental conditions.
Our classical two-step (CTS) simulation with initial conditions at the tunnel exit from a simulation based on strong-field approximation (SFA) shows that chiral electron momentum distributions can be produced under realistic experimental conditions. Further, this work also showcases that it is possible to conduct semi-classical simulations regarding the strong-field tunnel ionization of electrons that not only include Coulomb-interaction after tunneling but also take non-adiabaticity into account. This was previously only possible for two-dimensional laser fields.