Study and Control of Strong Field Processes with Attosecond Pulses

Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge LA

Investigators

Abstract

The present proposal focuses on the study and control of strong field processes via the application of attosecond pulses in combination with a variety of other intense, ultrafast sources. The short duration of the pulses and the strength of the applied fields mean that accurate calculations require a nonperturbative solution of the laser-matter interaction, which is achieved by direct integration of the time-dependent Schroedinger equation. All of the calculations envisioned are directly relevant to ongoing collaborations between the principle investigator and experimental groups at the forefront of strong field physics and attosecond science. Investigations to control strong field processes by quantum path selection using attosecond pulse trains synchronized to strong infrared fields, as well as a novel attosecond electron wave packet interferometer which uses the same configuration, are undertaken. In addition studies of the interaction of atoms with attosecond pulse trains having just one pulse per infraredcycle, an arrangement that can be used to freeze the motion of electrons periodically released into an infrared field, will be examined. Explorations of multiphoton physics in a new regime, the deep tunneling limit, reached when a high intensity, few cycle mid-infrared laser is used to ionize rare gas atoms, is also on the agenda. Of special interest is the possibility that these pulses can be used to generate attosecond pulses with a low average frequency, which would make them very useful for controlling ionization processes in atoms and molecules.