Elliptic dichroism and angular distribution of electrons in two-photon ionization of atoms

TitleElliptic dichroism and angular distribution of electrons in two-photon ionization of atoms
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1999
Manakov, NL, Maquet, A, Marmo, SI, Veniard, V, Ferrante, G
JournalJOURNAL OF PHYSICS B-ATOMIC MOLECULAR AND OPTICAL PHYSICS
Volume32
Issue15
Pagination3747-3767
Date PublishedAUG 14
ISSN0953-4075
Keywordspaper
Abstract

The three-dimensional angular distribution of electrons in two-photon ionization of atoms by an elliptically polarized laser beam, from an initial state with arbitrary angular momentum J(i), is expressed in terms of six frequency-dependent invariant atomic parameters. The specific effect of the field polarization on the angular distribution (the elliptic dichroism, ED) is discussed for the general case of elliptic polarization. The necessary conditions for a non-zero ED are established and its physical origin is explained. The general theory is illustrated by a simple analytical calculation for the delta-potential model. Numerical calculations of the angular distribution parameters for H and Cs atoms are also performed and the dependence of ED magnitude on the atomic quantum numbers and the photon frequency is discussed for different frequencies.

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