Coherent control of multiphoton ionization of lithium atoms by a bichromatic laser field

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates precise control over the direction of photoelectrons emitted from lithium atoms during multiphoton ionization using a bichromatic laser field with adjustable phase delay, enabling electron steering.

Contribution

It introduces a method for controlling electron emission direction in multiphoton ionization via phase delay in bichromatic laser fields, with experimental and theoretical validation.

Findings

Achieved controllable left-right asymmetry in electron emission.

Demonstrated phase delay tuning with sub-attosecond precision.

Found good agreement between experiments and calculations.

Abstract

We demonstrate a left-right asymmetry control of the photo\-electron angular distribution in multi\-photon ionization of Li atoms by a bichromatic laser field. By delaying the fundamental (780 nm) and its second harmonic relative to each other in steps of 130 atto\-seconds, we can vary the relative phase between the two laser fields with sub-wavelength accuracy and thereby steer the ejected electrons. Good agreement is found between the measurements and calculations at the appropriate intensities of the two harmonics.