Effects of laser polarization on photoelectron angular distribution through laser-induced continuum structure

TL;DR

This paper theoretically examines how the relative polarization angle between two lasers influences the photoelectron angular distribution in laser-induced continuum structures, revealing significant modifications in ionization yields and angular patterns.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed theoretical analysis of polarization effects on photoelectron distributions in laser-induced continuum structures, focusing on specific atomic systems.

Findings

Ionization yield varies with polarization angle

Photoelectron angular distribution is significantly altered

Branching ratios into ionization channels change with polarization

Abstract

We theoretically investigate the effects of laser polarization on photoelectron angular distribution through laser-induced continuum structure. We focus on a polarization geometry where the probe and dressing lasers are both linearly polarized, and change the relative polarization angle between them. We find that the total ionization yield and the branching ratio into different ionization channels change as a function of the relative polarization angle, and accordingly the photoelectron angular distribution is altered. We present specific results for the $4p_{1/2}$-$6p_{1/2}$ and $4p_{3/2}$-$6p_{3/2}$ systems of the K atom, and show that the change of the polarization angle leads to the significant modification of photoelectron angular distribution.