Multielectron polarization effects in strong-field ionization: Narrowing of momentum distributions and imprints in interference structures

TL;DR

This paper extends a semiclassical model to include multielectron polarization effects, revealing how these influence electron momentum distributions and interference patterns in strong-field ionization, aligning theory more closely with experimental observations.

Contribution

The study introduces a multielectron polarization-induced dipole potential into the semiclassical two-step model, providing new insights into electron dynamics and interference effects in strong-field ionization.

Findings

Narrowing of longitudinal momentum distributions due to electron focusing.

Modification of interference structures, including the number of fanlike patterns.

Improved agreement between theoretical predictions and experimental data.

Abstract

We extend the semiclassical two-step model [Phys. Rev. A 94, 013415 (2016)] to include a multielectron polarization-induced dipole potential. Using this model we investigate the imprints of multielectron effects in the momentum distributions of photoelectrons ionized by a linearly polarized laser pulse. We predict narrowing of the longitudinal momentum distributions due to electron focusing by the induced dipole potential. We show that the polarization of the core also modifies interference structures in the photoelectron momentum distributions. Specifically, the number of fanlike interference structures in the low-energy part of the electron momentum distribution may be altered. We analyze the mechanisms underlying this interference effect. The account of the multielectron dipole potential seems to improve the agreement between theory and experiment.