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A: Fachverband Atomphysik

A 26: Atomic Clusters III

A 26.2: Invited Talk

Thursday, March 5, 2009, 14:30–15:00, VMP 6 HS-B

Electron and ion emission from clusters in intense laser pulses — •Thomas Fennel — Institute of Physics, University of Rostock, Germany

A fascinating aspect of the interaction of intense laser pulses with atomic clusters is the creation of transient nanoplasmas. Whereas the efficient energy absorption by clusters, i.e. through collective electron excitations, is well understood these days, detailed insight into the nanoplasma dynamics underlying the generation of highly charged ions and energetic electron remains a challenge. Recently, electron rescattering in clusters, which can be driven by dynamic polarization fields as well as by the laser field itself, has been identified as the central mechanism for high energy electron generation [1,2]. Corresponding experimental and simulation results on metal and rare-gas clusters as well as perspectives for future experiments with few-cycle pulses will be discussed. The prediction of ion charge spectra requires the modelling of ionization and recombination processes [3]. New data on the intensity dependent charging of rare-gas clusters will be presented, revealing signatures of cluster avalanche ionization near the threshold for atomic barrier suppression [4].

[1] Th. Fennel et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 143401, 2007

[2] U. Saalmann et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 133006, 2008

[3] Th. Fennel et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 233401, 2007

[4] T. Döppner et al., in preparation