Capturing photoelectron motion with guiding fictitious particles

TL;DR

This paper introduces a model where a guiding fictitious particle explains the dynamics of photoelectron momentum distributions, capturing key behaviors like direct ionization and rescattering, and reproducing experimental bifurcations with laser ellipticity changes.

Contribution

The model provides a novel interpretation of PMDs by using a guiding fictitious particle to distinguish different electron dynamical behaviors.

Findings

Reproduces bifurcation in PMDs with laser ellipticity.

Differentiates direct ionization and rescattering dynamics.

Aligns well with experimental observations.

Abstract

Photoelectron momentum distributions (PMDs) from atoms and molecules undergo qualitative changes as laser parameters are varied. We present a model to interpret the shape of the PMDs. The electron's motion is guided by a fictitious particle in our model, clearly characterizing two distinct dynamical behaviors: direct ionization and rescattering. As laser ellipticity is varied, our model reproduces the bifurcation in the PMDs seen in experiments.