Photoelectron Circular Dichroism with Two Overlapping Laser Pulses of Carrier Frequencies <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mi>ω</mml:mi></mml:math> and <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mn>2</mml:mn><mml:mi>ω</mml:mi></mml:math> Linearly Polarized in Two Mutually Orthogonal Directions

Abstract

Using a model methanelike chiral system, we theoretically demonstrate a possibility to access photoelectron circular dichroism (PECD) by a single experiment with two overlapping laser pulses of carrier frequencies ω and 2ω, which are linearly polarized in two mutually orthogonal directions. Depending on the relative phase, the resulting electric field can be tailored to have two different rotational directions in the upper and lower hemispheres along the polarization of the ω pulse. We predict a strong forward-backward asymmetry in the emission of photoelectrons from randomly oriented samples, which has an opposite sign in the upper and lower hemispheres. The predicted PECD effect is phase and enantiomer sensitive, providing new insight in this fascinating fundamental phenomenon. The effect can be optimized by varying relative intensities of the pulses.