Optically-dressed resonant Auger processes induced by high-intensity x rays

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how high-intensity x-ray and optical fields induce coherent multiphoton interferences in Auger electron emissions, revealing asymmetries in the spectrum that depend on field parameters.

Contribution

It uncovers the role of multiphoton interferences in resonant Auger processes under combined x-ray and optical fields, a novel insight into electron dynamics.

Findings

Interference effects cause asymmetry in Auger electron spectra.

Spectral asymmetries are highly sensitive to field parameters.

Simulations confirm the influence of optical dressing on Auger decay.

Abstract

We have unveiled coherent multiphoton interferences originating from different quantum paths taken by the Auger electron induced by a high-intensity x-ray/XUV pulse under the presence of a strong optical field. These interferences give rise to a clear signature in the angle-resolved Auger electron spectrum: an asymmetry with respect to the energy of the Auger decay channel. In order to illustrate this effect we have considered the resonant Auger decay of the transition $2p^{5} \!\leftrightarrow\! 1s^{-1}2p^{6}$ in Ne$^{+}$. The simulations show that these interferences are very sensitive to the parameters of the x-ray and optical fields.