Evidence for a {\bf T}-shape break-up pattern in the triple photoionization of Li

TL;DR

This study uses quantum mechanics to reveal a T-shaped electron break-up pattern in lithium's triple photoionization at low energies, challenging traditional Wannier predictions of a 120-degree configuration.

Contribution

It provides the first quantum-mechanical evidence for the T-shape break-up pattern in lithium, contrasting with classical expectations.

Findings

Evidence for T-shape break-up pattern at 5 eV excess energy.

Contradicts the classical Wannier 120-degree break-up dynamics.

Explores physical mechanisms behind the T-shape configuration.

Abstract

We examine the angular distributions of all three electrons ionized from Li by a single photon near the triple ionization threshold using a fully quantum-mechanical treatment. We find strong evidence for a {\bf T}-shape break-up pattern at 5 eV excess energy as previously predicted by quasi-classical simulations [A. Emmanouilidou and J. M. Rost, \jpb {\bf 39}, 4037 (2006); A. Emmanouilidou, P. Wang, and J. M. Rost, \prl {\bf 100}, 063002 (2008)]. This finding is in conflict with the expected Wannier break-up dynamics of three electrons moving at mutual angles of 120$^{\circ}$, which is expected to hold at energies a few eV above threshold. We use our quantum-mechanical approach to explore the physical mechanisms behind this unusual break-up configuration.