Multiphoton transitions for delay-zero calibration in attosecond spectroscopy

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method for accurately calibrating delay-zero in attosecond spectroscopy using quarter-laser-cycle oscillations, validated by theoretical simulations and experimental robustness analysis.

Contribution

It presents a novel calibration technique based on 4ω oscillations in transient absorption, improving delay-zero determination in attosecond experiments.

Findings

Quarter-laser-cycle oscillations enable precise delay-zero calibration.

The method is validated through comparison with Schrödinger equation simulations.

The approach shows robustness across various experimental parameters.

Abstract

The exact delay-zero calibration in an attosecond pump-probe experiment is important for the correct interpretation of experimental data. In attosecond transient absorption spectroscopy the determination of the delay-zero exclusively from the experimental results is not straightforward and may introduce significant errors. Here, we report the observation of quarter-laser-cycle (4{\omega}) oscillations in a transient absorption experiment in helium using an attosecond pulse train overlapped with a precisely synchronized, moderately strong infrared pulse. We demonstrate how to extract and calibrate the delay-zero with the help of the highly nonlinear 4{\omega} signal. A comparison with the solution of the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation is used to confirm the accuracy and validity of the approach. Moreover, we study the mechanisms behind the quarter-laser-cycle and the better-known half-laser-cycle oscillations as a function of experimental parameters. This investigation yields an indication of the robustness of our delay-zero calibration approach.