Atomic dynamics in single and multi-photon double ionization: An experimental comparison

Abstract

We have used a multi-particle imaging technique (COLTRIMS) to observe the double ionization of rare gas atoms by multi-photon absorption of 800 nm (1.5 eV) femto-second laser pulses and by single photon absorption (synchrotron radiation). Both processes are mediated by electron correlation. We discuss similarities and differences in the three-body final state momentum distributions.