RUI: Classical and Quantum Studies of Non-Sequential Multiple Ionization of Atoms in Strong Laser Fields

Calvin University, Grand Rapids MI

Investigators

Abstract

The project involves computer modeling of double ionization of atoms by intense laser light. The proposed work is based primarily on classical mechanics rather than quantum mechanics. It uses an ensemble of 400,000 classical two-electron atoms, each of which is given slightly different initial conditions, although they all have the same total energy (equal to the energy of the actual helium ground state) and zero angular momentum. Each classical atom is evolved in time through an intense infrared laser pulse, and the final states are analyzed. Atoms that demonstrate desired final characteristics are then backtracked to learn their history. The objective is to obtain increased understanding of the dynamics of the double ionization process, and especially of recollision, which is a process in which one electron is ionized but because of the oscillating laser field returns to the positive ion and recollides with the other electron.