Wave-particle duality is an inherent peculiarity of the quantum world. The double-slit experiment has been frequently used for understanding different aspects of this fundamental concept. The occurrence of interference rests on the lack of which-way information and on the absence of decoherence mechanisms, which could scramble the wave fronts. Here, we report on the observation of two-center interference in the molecular-frame photoelectron momentum distribution upon ionization of the neon dimer by a strong laser field. Postselection of ions, which are measured in coincidence with electrons, allows choosing the symmetry of the residual ion, leading to observation of both, gerade and ungerade, types of interference.

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Double-slit photoelectron interference in strong-field ionization of the neon dimer.

The rise time of intense radiation determines the maximum field strength atoms can be exposed to before their polarizability dramatically drops due to the detachment of an outer electron. Recent progress in ultrafast optics has allowed the generation of ultraintense light pulses comprising merely a few field oscillation cycles. The arising intensity gradient allows electrons to survive in their bound atomic state up to external field strengths many times higher than the binding Coulomb field and gives rise to ionization rates comparable to the light frequency, resulting in a significant extension of the frontiers of nonlinear optics and (nonrelativistic) high-field physics. Implications include the generation of coherent harmonic radiation up to kiloelectronvolt photon energies and control of the atomic dipole moment on a subfemtosecond $(1{\mathrm{f}\mathrm{s}=10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}15}\mathrm{}\mathrm{s})$ time scale. This review presents the landmarks of the 30-odd-year evolution of ultrashort-pulse laser physics and technology culminating in the generation of intense few-cycle light pulses and discusses the impact of these pulses on high-field physics. Particular emphasis is placed on high-order harmonic emission and single subfemtosecond extreme ultraviolet/x-ray pulse generation. These as well as other strong-field processes are governed directly by the electric-field evolution, and hence their full control requires access to the (absolute) phase of the light carrier. We shall discuss routes to its determination and control, which will, for the first time, allow access to the electromagnetic fields in light waves and control of high-field interactions with never-before-achieved precision.

Intense few-cycle laser fields: Frontiers of nonlinear optics

Summary form only given. Fundamental processes in atoms, molecules, as well as condensed matter are triggered or mediated by the motion of electrons inside or between atoms. Electronic dynamics on atomic length scales tends to unfold within tens to thousands of attoseconds (1 attosecond [as] = 10-18 s). Recent breakthroughs in laser science are now opening the door to watching and controlling these hitherto inaccessible microscopic dynamics. The key to accessing the attosecond time domain is the control of the electric field of (visible) light, which varies its strength and direction within less than a femtosecond (1 femtosecond = 1000 attoseconds). Atoms exposed to a few oscillations cycles of intense laser light are able to emit a single extreme ultraviolet (XUV) burst lasting less than one femtosecond. Full control of the evolution of the electromagnetic field in laser pulses comprising a few wave cycles have recently allowed the reproducible generation and measurement of isolated sub-femtosecond XUV pulses, demonstrating the control of microscopic processes (electron motion and photon emission) on an attosecond time scale. These tools have enabled us to visualize the oscillating electric field of visible light with an attosecond "oscilloscope", to control single-electron and probe multi-electron dynamics in atoms, molecules and solids. Recent experiments hold promise for the development of an attosecond X-ray source, which may pave the way towards 4D electron imaging with sub-atomic resolution in space and time.

Attosecond Physics

THE subject of quantum electrodynamics is extremely difficult, even for the case of a single electron. The usual method of solving the corresponding wave equation leads to divergent integrals. To avoid these, Prof. P. A. M. Dirac* uses the method of redundant variables. This does not abolish the difficulty, but presents it in a new form, which may be dealt with in two ways. The first of these needs only comparatively simple mathematics and is directly connected with an elegant general scheme, but unfortunately its wave functions apply only to a hypothetical world and so its physical interpretation is indirect. The second way has the advantage of a direct physical interpretation, but the mathematics is so complicated that it has not yet been solved even for what appears to be the simplest possible case. Both methods seem worth further study, failing the discovery of a third which would combine the advantages of both.

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel5/3/22993/01069961.pdf

Quantum electrodynamics

Recoil-ion and electron momentum spectroscopy is a rapidly developing technique that allows one to measure the vector momenta of several ions and electrons resulting from atomic or molecular fragmentation. In a unique combination, large solid angles close to 4π and superior momentum resolutions around a few per cent of an atomic unit (a.u.) are typically reached in state-of-the art machines, so-called reaction-microscopes. Evolving from recoil-ion and cold target recoil-ion momentum spectroscopy (COLTRIMS), reaction-microscopes—the `bubble chambers of atomic physics'—mark the decisive step forward to investigate many-particle quantum-dynamics occurring when atomic and molecular systems or even surfaces and solids are exposed to time-dependent external electromagnetic fields. This paper concentrates on just these latest technical developments and on at least four new classes of fragmentation experiments that have emerged within about the last five years. First, multi-dimensional images in momentum space brought unprecedented information on the dynamics of single-photon induced fragmentation of fixed-in-space molecules and on their structure. Second, a break-through in the investigation of high-intensity short-pulse laser induced fragmentation of atoms and molecules has been achieved by using reaction-microscopes. Third, for electron and ion-impact, the investigation of two-electron reactions has matured to a state such that the first fully differential cross sections (FDCSs) are reported. Fourth, comprehensive sets of FDCSs for single ionization of atoms by ion-impact, the most basic atomic fragmentation reaction, brought new insight, a couple of surprises and unexpected challenges to theory at keV to GeV collision energies. In addition, a brief summary on the kinematics is provided at the beginning. Finally, the rich future potential of the method is briefly envisaged.

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Recoil-ion and electron momentum spectroscopy: reaction-microscopes

Cold Target Recoil Ion Momentum Spectroscopy: a &momentum microscope' to view atomic collision dynamics

High-resolution recoil-ion momentum spectroscopy (RIMS) is a novel technique to determine the charge state and the complete final momentum vector of a recoiling target ion emerging from an ionizing collision of an atom with any kind of radiation. It offers a unique combination of superior momentum resolution in all three spatial directions of with a large detection solid angle of . Recently, low-energy electron analysers based on rigorously new concepts and reaching similar specifications were successfully integrated into RIM spectrometers yielding so-called `reaction microscopes'. Exploiting these techniques, a large variety of atomic reactions for ion, electron, photon and antiproton impact have been explored in unprecedented detail and completeness. Among them kinematically complete experiments on electron capture, single and double ionization in ion - atom collisions at projectile energies between 5 keV and 1.4 GeV have been carried out. Double photoionization of He has been investigated at energies close to the threshold up to . At the contributions to double ionization after photoabsorption and Compton scattering were separated kinematically for the first time. These and many other results will be reviewed in this paper. In addition, the experimental technique is described in some detail and emphasis is given to envisaging the rich future potential of the method in various fields of atomic collision physics with atoms, molecules and clusters.

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Recoil-ion momentum spectroscopy

Electronic correlations govern the dynamics of many phenomena in nature, such as chemical reactions and solid state effects, including superconductivity. Such correlation effects can be most clearly investigated in processes involving single atoms. In particular, the emission of two electrons from an atom—induced by the impact of a single photon1, a charged particle2 or by a short laser pulse3—has become the standard process for studies of dynamical electron correlations. Atoms and molecules exposed to laser fields that are comparable in intensity to the nuclear fields have extremely high probabilities for double ionization4,5; this has been attributed to electron–electron interaction3. Here we report a strong correlation between the magnitude and the direction of the momentum of two electrons that are emitted from an argon atom, driven by a femtosecond laser pulse (at 38 TW cm-2). Increasing the laser intensity causes the momentum correlation between the electrons to be lost, implying that a transition in the laser–atom coupling mechanism takes place.

Correlated electron emission in multiphoton double ionization

We have developed a delay-line read-out technique for microchannel plate detectors with an increased acceptance for multiple hit events compared to standard two-layer delay-line anodes. This technique allows unambiguous determination of arrival time and position of at least four simultaneously detected particles, and/or to detect an even larger number of particles in a shower, as long as any two particles do not arrive both at the same time and at the same position within certain limits. We demonstrate and discuss the abilities and limitations of this technique and the relevance for certain experimental tasks.

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Multiple hit read-out of a microchannel plate detector with a three-layer delay-line anode

We have measured the momentum distributions of singly and doubly charged helium ions created in the focus of 220 fs, 800 nm laser pulses at intensities of $(2.9--6.6)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{14}\mathrm{W}/{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. All ions are emitted strongly aligned along the direction of polarization of the light. We find the typical momenta of the ${\mathrm{He}}^{2+}$ ions to be 5--10 times larger than those of the ${\mathrm{He}}^{1+}$ ions and a two peak structure at the highest intensity.

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V. Mergel

Papers

Cold Target Recoil Ion Momentum Spectroscopy: a &momentum microscope' to view atomic collision dynamics

Recoil-ion momentum spectroscopy

Correlated electron emission in multiphoton double ionization

Multiple hit read-out of a microchannel plate detector with a three-layer delay-line anode

Recoil-Ion momentum distributions for single and double ionization of helium in strong laser fields