Two-center resonant photo ionization

TL;DR

This paper investigates a two-center resonant photoionization process where a neighboring atom enhances ionization efficiency through energy transfer, showing it can surpass direct ionization at nanometer scales with unique spectral and temporal features.

Contribution

It introduces and analyzes a two-center resonant photoionization mechanism, highlighting its dominance over direct ionization at nanometer distances and its distinct spectral and temporal characteristics.

Findings

Two-center ionization can outperform direct ionization at nanometer distances.

The process exhibits unique spectral features in emitted electrons.

Distinct temporal development patterns are identified.

Abstract

Photoionization of an atom $A$, in the presence of a neighboring atom $B$, can proceed via resonant excitation of $B$ with subsequent energy transfer to $A$ through two-center electron-electron correlation. We demonstrate that this two-center mechanism can strongly outperform direct photoionization at nanometer internuclear distances and possesses characteristic features in its time development and the spectrum of emitted electrons.