Recoil-Ion momentum distributions for single and double ionization of helium in strong laser fields

• Published in: Physical review letters Vol. 84; no. 3; pp. 443 - 446
• Main Authors: Weber, T, Weckenbrock, M, Staudte, A, Spielberger, L, Jagutzki, O, Mergel, V, V, Afaneh, F, Urbasch, G, Vollmer, M, Giessen, H, Dorner, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 17-01-2000
• ISSN: 0031-9007; 1079-7114
• DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.84.443

We have measured the momentum distributions of singly and doubly charged helium ions created in the focus of 220 fs, 800 nm laser pulses at intensities of (2.9-6.6)x10(14) W/cm(2). All ions are emitted strongly aligned along the direction of polarization of the light. We find the typical momenta of the He2+ ions to be 5-10 times larger than those of the He1+ ions and a two peak structure at the highest intensity.