Theoretical scheme for simultaneously observing forward–backward photoelectron holography

Abstract

Photoelectron angular momentum distribution of He⁺ driven by a few-cycle laser is investigated numerically. We simultaneously observe two dominant interference patterns with one shot of lasers by solving the 3D time-dependent Schrodinger equation. Analysis of a semiclassical model identifies these two interference patterns as two types of photoelectron holography. The interference pattern with P_z>0 is a type of forward rescattering holography, which comes from the interference between direct (reference) and rescattered (signal) forward electrons ionized in the same quarter-cycle. The interference pattern with P_z<0 is a type of backward rescattering holography, which comes from the interference between a direct electron ionized in the third quarter-cycle and rescattered backward electron ionized in the first quarter-cycle. Moreover, we propose a method to distinguish this backward rescattering holography and intracycle interference patterns of direct electrons.

Strong-field photoelectron holography in the subcycle limit

“…To alleviate the limitations encountered in the multicycle regime, the use of sophisticated experimental methods, such as two-color laser fields 18 – 21 , differential holographic measurement 22 , and intricate data analysis methods 23 , 24 , has been proposed; however, direct observation of target structure-relevant holographic interference patterns remains a challenge owing to the persistent influence of inter-cycle interference effects. In light of the challenges posed by inter-cycle interference, the use of single-cycle laser pulses emerges as a viable alternative for SFPH studies 25 – 27 . Unlike multicycle laser fields, single-cycle pulses have shorter durations and well-defined oscillation periods.…”

Strong-field photoelectron holography in the subcycle limit

“…To alleviate the limitations encountered in the multicycle regime, the use of sophisticated experimental methods, such as two-color laser fields [17][18][19][20], differential holographic measurement [21], and intricate data analysis methods [22,23], has been proposed; however, direct observation of target structure-relevant holographic interference patterns remains a challenge owing to the persistent influence of intercycle interference effects. In light of the challenges posed by intercycle interference, the use of single-cycle laser pulses emerges as a viable alternative for SFPH studies [24][25][26]. Unlike multicycle laser fields, single-cycle pulses have shorter durations and well-defined oscillation periods.…”

Identifying the complexity of the holographic structures in strong field ionization

“…Nowadays, the strong-field attosecond photoelectron holography (SFAPH) is a promising technique toward the dynamical imaging of ultrafast phenomena in atomic and molecular spatial scale such as chemical reactions. The clear treatment of the SFAPH which may recover the structural information of the ionized target is based on the deep understanding of the sub-cycle quantum interference occurring in the tunnel ionization regime and also on the phase decoding information hidden in the photoelectron momentum distribution 4 – 7 .…”