Enhanced multiphoton ionization driven by quantum light

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new framework for multiphoton ionization using quantum light, showing that entangled photons can significantly boost ionization efficiency beyond traditional methods, with potential experimental observability.

Contribution

The work develops a comprehensive quantum framework for multiphoton ionization and demonstrates substantial enhancement using momentum-entangled photons from nanoscale sources.

Findings

Cross sections can be increased by over two orders of magnitude.

Broad angular spectrum of quantum sources enhances ionization.

Predicted effects are observable with current technology.

Abstract

We present a framework for multiphoton ionization driven by arbitrary quantum states of light. Our simulations predict that cross sections can be enhanced by more than two orders of magnitude with momentum-entangled photons produced by modern nanoscale quantum light sources. The enhancement is tied to the broad angular spectrum of such sources, and is severely underestimated by conventional approaches using the paraxial approximation. Reasonable estimates of the resonant two-photon ionization cross section in sodium atoms indicate that these effects should be observable with current technology.