Double-slit photoelectron interference in strong-field ionization of the neon dimer

TL;DR

This paper reports the observation of two-center interference in the photoelectron momentum distribution of neon dimers ionized by strong laser fields, highlighting quantum wave-particle duality and molecular symmetry effects.

Contribution

It demonstrates the first experimental observation of two-center interference in strong-field molecular ionization with postselected ion-electron coincidence measurements.

Findings

Observation of both gerade and ungerade interference patterns.

Confirmation of molecular symmetry influence on photoelectron distributions.

Advancement in understanding quantum interference in molecular ionization.

Abstract

Wave-particle duality is an inherent peculiarity of the quantum world. The double-slit experiment has been frequently used for understanding different aspects of this fundamental concept. The occurrence of interference rests on the lack of which-way information and on the absence of decoherence mechanisms, which could scramble the wave fronts. In this letter, we report on the observation of two-center interference in the molecular frame photoelectron momentum distribution upon ionization of the neon dimer by a strong laser field. Postselection of ions, which were measured in coincidence with electrons, allowed choosing the symmetry of the continuum electronic wave function, leading to observation of both, gerade and ungerade, types of interference.