Streak Camera for Strong-Field Ionization

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel technique using a mid-infrared deflection field to distinguish and control electron wave packets generated during strong-field ionization, enabling detailed study of ultrafast electron dynamics.

Contribution

The paper presents a new method for efficient electron deflection separate from ionization, allowing for attosecond-scale control and analysis of strong-field ionization processes.

Findings

Able to distinguish electron wave packets at different laser field maxima

Demonstrated control over electron scattering dynamics

Provides a general technique for studying ultrafast ionization processes

Abstract

Ionization of an atom or molecule by a strong laser field produces sub-optical cycle wave packets whose control has given rise to attosecond science. The final states of the wave packets depend on ionization and deflection by the laser field, which are convoluted in conventional experiments. Here, we demonstrate a technique enabling efficient electron deflection, separate from the field driving strong-field ionization. Using a mid-infrared deflection field permits one to distinguish electron wave packets generated at different field maxima of an intense few-cycle visible laser pulse. We utilize this capability to trace the scattering of low-energy electrons driven by the mid-infrared field. Our approach represents a general technique for studying and controlling strong-field ionization dynamics on the attosecond time scale.