Two-dimensional directional proton emission in dissociative ionization of H(2)

Phys Rev Lett. 2014 Nov 14;113(20):203001. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.203001. Epub 2014 Nov 12.

Abstract

An intense phase-controlled orthogonally polarized two-color ultrashort laser pulse is used to singly ionize and dissociate H_{2} into a neutral hydrogen atom and a proton. Emission-direction and kinetic-energy dependent asymmetric dissociation of H_{2} is observed as a function of the relative phase of the orthogonally polarized two-color pulse. Significant asymmetric proton emission is measured in the direction between two polarization axes. Our numerical simulations of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation reproduce many of the observed features. The asymmetry is attributed to the coherent superposition of two-dimensional nuclear wave packets with opposite parities, which have the same energies and overlap in the same emission directions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Hydrogen / chemistry*
  • Kinetics
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Protons*

Substances

  • Protons
  • Hydrogen