Momentum partition between constituents of exotic atoms during laser induced tunneling ionization

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the motion of the center of mass affects the momentum distribution during laser-induced tunneling ionization of exotic atoms, revealing significant effects for atoms with large mass ratios.

Contribution

It introduces a model accounting for center of mass motion in tunneling ionization of exotic atoms, highlighting effects neglected in common atom studies.

Findings

Center of mass motion significantly influences momentum distribution in exotic atoms.

The momentum shift during tunneling depends on the mass ratio of constituents.

Effects are negligible for common atoms but crucial for exotic atoms.

Abstract

The tunneling ionization of exotic atoms such as muonic hydrogen, muonium and positronium in a strong laser field of circular polarization is investigated taking into account the impact of the motion of the center of mass on the the tunneling ionization dynamics. The momentum partition between the ionization products is deduced. The effect of the center of mass motion for the momentum distribution of the ionization components is determined. The effect scales with the ratio of the electron (muon) to the atomic core masses and is nonnegligible for exotic atoms, while being insignificant for common atoms. It is shown that the electron (muon) momentum shift during the under-the-barrier motion due to the magnetically induced Lorentz force has a significant impact on the momentum distribution of the atomic core and depends on the ratio of the electron to the atomic core masses.