Intense Laser-Atom Physics in Scaled Interactions

Ohio State University Research Foundation -Do Not Use, Columbus OH

Investigators

Abstract

This project focuses on experimental investigations of the interaction of an isolated atom with an intense electromagnetic field by utilizing the wavelength scaling of the strong field interaction at frequencies much lower than the binding energy of an electron in the atom. Addressing these scaling laws with novel ionization experiments using few-cycle mid-infrared (2 micron and 4 micron) pulses is crucial since it tests the very foundations of all our understanding of the intense laser-atom interaction. A number of key studies will be enabled by this proposal and include; significantly increase the number of atomic systems capable of experiencing intense laser fields, allow systematic studies of one- and two-electron systems, examine strong field interactions for prepared states, initiate a global investigation of scaling laws and permit the first high-sensitivity experiments on atoms in large ponderomotive potentials. For the first time, the proposed novel investigations exploiting strong-field scaling laws can address unanswered questions, test fundamental concepts, explore new limits and potentially result in new discovery, all of which should add to our understanding of the intense laser-atom interaction.