Ionization of atoms by few-cycle EUV laser pulses: carrier-envelope phase dependence of the intra-pulse interference effects

TL;DR

This study explores how the carrier-envelope phase of few-cycle EUV laser pulses influences intra-pulse interference effects during hydrogen atom ionization, revealing phase-dependent holographic interference patterns.

Contribution

It demonstrates the dependence of intra-pulse interference patterns, especially holographic mapping, on the carrier-envelope phase in few-cycle laser pulses.

Findings

Holographic interference patterns are strongly affected by CEP.

An optimal CEP enhances the visibility of holographic mapping.

The interference effects can be used to probe atomic dynamics.

Abstract

We have investigated the ionization of the H atom by intense few-cycle laser pulses, in particular the intra-pulse interference effects, and their dependence on the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) of the laser pulse. In the final momentum distribution of the continuum electrons the imprint of two types of intra-pulse interference effects can be observed, namely the temporal and spatial interference. During the spatial interference electronic wave packets emitted at the same time, but following different paths interfere leading to an interference pattern measurable in the electron spectra. This can be also interpreted as the interference between a direct and a scattered wave, and the spatial interference pattern as the holographic mapping (HM) of the target. This HM pattern is strongly influenced by the carrier-envelope phase through the shape of the laser pulse. Here, we have studied how the shape of the HM pattern is modified by the CEP, and we have found an optimal CEP for the observation of HM.