Electron rescattering at metal nanotips induced by ultrashort laser pulses

TL;DR

This paper explores how ultrashort laser pulses induce electron rescattering at metal nanotips, combining quantum simulations and simple models to understand the emission spectra's dependence on laser wavelength.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework using TDDFT and simple models to analyze electron rescattering at metal nanotips under ultrashort laser pulses, highlighting wavelength effects.

Findings

Local field enhancement triggers femtosecond electron emission.

Electron spectra depend on laser wavelength.

Quantum dynamics are effectively modeled with TDDFT.

Abstract

We theoretically investigate the interaction of moderate intensity near-infrared few cycle laser pulses with nano-scale metal tips. Local field enhancement in a nanometric region around the tip apex triggers coherent electron emission on the nanometer length and femtosecond time scale. The quantum dynamics at the surface are simulated with time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) and interpreted based on the simple man's model. We investigate the dependence of the emitted electron spectra on the laser wavelength.