# Ionization of Xe in intense, two-cycle laser fields: Dependence on carrier-envelope phase

## TL;DR

This study investigates how the ionization of xenon atoms by intense, short laser pulses depends on the carrier-envelope phase, revealing complex CEP effects and challenging previous assumptions about electron rescattering.

## Contribution

It introduces a phenomenological model that predicts CEP dependence in xenon ionization and demonstrates CEP effects persist in longer pulses, with rescattering playing a minor role.

## Key findings

- CEP dependence varies with laser intensity and charge state
- Rescattering is not the main factor in CEP effects
- CEP effects persist for 8-cycle pulses

## Abstract

We report on tunnel ionization of Xe by 2-cycle, intense, infrared laser pulses and its dependence on carrier-envelope-phase (CEP). At low values of optical field ($E$), the ionization yield is maximum for cos-like pulses with the dependence becoming stronger for higher charge states. At higher $E$-values, the CEP dependence either washes out or flips. A simple phenomenological model is developed that predicts and confirms the observed results. CEP effects are seen to persist for 8-cycle pulses. Unexpectedly, electron rescattering plays an unimportant role in the observed CEP dependence. Our results provide fresh perspectives in ultrafast, strong-field ionization dynamics of multi-electron systems that lie at the core of attosecond science.