Sequential Tunneling vs. Electron Correlation in Multiple Photo-ionization

TL;DR

This paper compares independent-electron tunneling theory and fully electron-correlated classical release theory in the context of strong-field double ionization, using elliptical polarization data from a recent experiment.

Contribution

It provides a comparative analysis of two competing theories for electron release in double ionization, leveraging new experimental data.

Findings

Elliptical polarization data supports correlated electron models.

Independent-electron tunneling theory is challenged by experimental results.

The study clarifies the role of electron correlation in strong-field ionization.

Abstract

We take advantage of the information provided by use of elliptical polarization in a recent two-electron release time experiment [A.N. Pfeiffer et al., Nature Physics 7, 428 (2011)]. This allows a comparative test of the currently dominant conjectures regarding independent-electron tunneling theory vs. fully electron-correlated classical release theory to describe electron release in strong-field double ionization.