Spin effects in relativistic ionization with highly charged ions in super-strong laser fields

TL;DR

This paper investigates spin effects in relativistic ionization of highly charged ions under super-strong laser fields, using advanced theoretical models and simulations to predict measurable spin asymmetries.

Contribution

It introduces a relativistic Coulomb-corrected strong-field approximation and an intuitive model to explain spin effects, highlighting limitations of the standard SFA.

Findings

Derived scaling laws for spin-flip and spin-asymmetry effects.

Support for the dressed SFA in predicting spin effects.

Standard SFA fails to reproduce spin effects qualitatively.

Abstract

Spin effects in above-threshold ionization of hydrogenlike highly charged ions in super-strong laser fields are investigated. Spin-resolved ionization rates in the tunneling regime are calculated by employing two versions of a relativistic Coulomb-corrected strong-field approximation (SFA). An intuitive simple-man model is developed which explains the derived scaling laws for spin-flip and spin-asymmetry effects. The intuitive model as well as our ab initio numerical simulations support the analytical results for the spin effects obtained in the dressed SFA where the impact of the laser field on the electron spin evolution in the bound state is taken into account. In contrast, the standard SFA is shown to fail in reproducing spin effects at ionization even at a qualitative level. The anticipated spin-effects are expected to be measurable with modern laser techniques combined with an ion storage facility.