Double photo-ionization of He near a polarizable surface

TL;DR

This paper calculates the differential cross-section for double photo-ionization of helium near a polarizable surface, revealing how surface potential influences electron correlations and enables forbidden emission directions.

Contribution

It introduces a method to include surface potential effects in the correlated two-electron wavefunction for photo-ionization calculations.

Findings

Surface potential affects electron correlation signatures.

Photo-emission along opposite directions becomes possible near surfaces.

Surface influence provides detailed electronic correlation information.

Abstract

We calculate the differential cross-section of the direct double photo-ionization of He physisorbed on a polarizable surface. By including the influence of the surface potential in the correlated two-electron final state wavefunction, we show that the differential cross-section carries detailed information on the electronic correlations at the surface. In particular, photo-emission along opposite directions, which is prohibited in the free space, is allowed if the surface potential is long-ranged.