Light-matter entanglement after above-threshold ionization processes in atoms

TL;DR

This paper theoretically investigates light-matter entanglement generated during above-threshold ionization in atoms, demonstrating the creation of hybrid entangled states and analyzing their properties based on electron dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework for analyzing entanglement in ATI processes, highlighting the dependence on electron energy and direction, and uses the Wigner function for characterization.

Findings

Hybrid entangled states are generated during ATI.

Entanglement depends on electron kinetic energy and emission direction.

Wigner function analysis provides insights into entanglement properties.

Abstract

Light-matter entanglement plays a fundamental role in many applications of quantum information science. Thus, finding processes where it can be observed is an important task. Here, we address this matter by theoretically investigating the entanglement between light and electrons generated in above-threshold ionization (ATI) process. The study is based on the back-action of the ATI process on the quantum optical state of the system, and its dependence on the kinetic energy and direction of the emitted photoelectrons. Taking into account the dynamics of the process, we demonstrate the creation of hybrid entangled states. The amount of entanglement has been studied in terms of the entropy of entanglement. Additionally, we use the Wigner function of the driving field mode to motivate the entanglement characterization when considering electrons propagating in opposite directions.