Observation and Control of Correlated Dynamics in Two-Electron Systems

University Of Virginia Main Campus, Charlottesville VA

Investigators

Abstract

This project will utilize fast laser pulses to probe, alter, and control correlated electron dynamics in multi-electron atoms. The experiments are expected to provide insight into a number of areas of current interest in fundamental atomic physics research, including intense field-atom interactions, electron correlation in multi-electron systems, and the control of quantum dynamics. Three sets of experiments are envisioned: 1) the study of double Rydberg wavepacket dynamics directly in the time domain; 2) the use of "half-cycle" pulses to investigate the modification of electron correlation by strong unipolar fields; and 3) the use of frequency-domain, scaled-energy spectroscopy to study the dynamics of two-electron atoms in the presence of strong static fields.