Exact theory and numeric results for short pulse ionization of simple model atom in one dimension

TL;DR

This paper develops an exact theoretical framework for analyzing short pulse ionization of a one-dimensional model atom, providing insights into ionization efficiency and dynamics under various pulse shapes and strengths.

Contribution

It generalizes previous models to include short pulse external fields and varying potential shapes, offering new laws for atomic ionization processes.

Findings

Bound atom cannot survive excitation by any non-zero harmonic forcing.

Derived laws governing ionization efficiency with short pulses.

Validated the model's applicability to real atomic systems.

Abstract

Our exact theory for continuous harmonic perturbation of a one dimensional model atom by parametric variations of its potential is generalized for the cases when a) the atom is exposed to short pulses of an external harmonic electric field and b) the forcing is represented by short bursts of different shape changing the strength of the binding potential. This work is motivated not only by the wide use of laser pulses for atomic ionization, but also by our earlier study of the same model which successfully described the ionization dynamics in all orders, i.e. the multi-photon processes, though being treated by the non-relativistic Schr\"odinger equation. In particular, it was shown that the bound atom cannot survive the excitation of its potential caused by any non-zero frequency and amplitude of the continuous harmonic forcing. Our present analysis found important laws of the atomic ionization by short pulses, in particular the efficiency of ionizing this model system and presumably real ones as well.