Clusters under strong VUV pulses: A quantum-classical hybrid-description incorporating plasma effects

TL;DR

This paper presents a quantum-classical hybrid model for simulating rare-gas clusters under intense VUV pulses, emphasizing plasma effects and electron screening, with application to argon clusters exposed to short laser pulses.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed hybrid approach that incorporates plasma effects and electron screening, advancing the modeling of cluster dynamics under intense VUV irradiation.

Findings

Model effectively captures electron screening and plasma formation.

Application to Ar147 cluster reveals detailed ionization dynamics.

Highlights importance of plasma effects in cluster evolution.

Abstract

The quantum-classical hybrid-description of rare-gas clusters interacting with intense light pulses which we have developed is described in detail. Much emphasis is put on the treatment of screening electrons in the cluster which set the time scale for the evolution of the system and form the link between electrons strongly bound to ions and quasi-free plasma electrons in the cluster. As an example we discuss the dynamics of an Ar147 cluster exposed to a short VUV laser pulse of 20eV photon energy.