Nonsequential double ionization at the single-optical-cycle limit

Abstract

The measurement of Ar<inf>++</inf> double ion momentum distributions from nonsequential double ionization in phase-stabilized few-cycle laser pulses was described. A strong CE phase sensitivity of the differential momentum distribution of Ar²⁺ ions along the laser beam polarization axis was demonstrated. The double ion momentum distributions depended strongly on the carrier-envelope (CE) phase. The influence of the optical phase entered via the cycle dependent electric field ionization rate, electron recollision time, and accessible phase space for inelastic collisions. The results show that the combination of such effects describes the single cycle dynamics if few-cycle pulses are used.