Nonsequential double ionization of triatomic molecules in strong laser fields

Abstract

In this paper, we extend strong-field double ionization from diatomic molecules to triatomic molecules. Strong-field double ionization of CO${}_{2}$ is studied here with both linear and circular polarizations. A clear nonsequential signature is seen in doubly ionized CO${}_{2}$. We also compare nonsequential double ionization behaviors of CO${}_{2}$ to those of the well-studied diatomic molecules, and the difference is attributed to the detailed electronic structures in molecules.