Recolliding orbits in an intense laser field

TL;DR

This paper identifies key periodic orbits that govern recollision processes in intense circularly polarized laser fields, revealing universal mechanisms for nonsequential double ionization across different atomic and molecular systems.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of recolliding periodic orbits and analyzes their role in recollision-driven ionization, extending understanding beyond atomic targets.

Findings

Recolliding periodic orbits exist over a wide parameter range.

Conditions for nonsequential double ionization are established.

The mechanism is universal across different target species.

Abstract

We show that a family of key periodic orbits drive the recollision process in a strong circulary polarized laser field. These orbits, coined recolliding periodic orbits, exist for a wide range of parameters and their relative influence changes as the laser and atomic parameters are varied. We find the necessary conditions for recollision-driven nonsequential double ionization to occur. The outlined mechanism is universal in that it applies equally well beyond atoms: The internal structure of the target species plays a minor role in the recollision process.