Observation of electron energy discretization in strong field double ionization

Phys Rev Lett. 2013 Sep 13;111(11):113003. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.113003. Epub 2013 Sep 13.

Abstract

We report on the observation of discrete structures in the electron energy distribution for strong field double ionization of argon at 394 nm. The experimental conditions were chosen in order to ensure a nonsequential ejection of both electrons with an intermediate rescattering step. We have found discrete above-threshold ionization like peaks in the sum energy of both electrons, as predicted by all quantum mechanical calculations. More surprisingly, however, is the observation of two above-threshold ionization combs in the energy distribution of the individual electrons.