Strong-field ionization of water: Nuclear dynamics revealed by varying the pulse duration

Abstract

The authors report on measurements of the three-dimensional momentum distribution of fragment ions that follow the strong-field double ionization and subsequent dissociation of water using 800-nm laser pulses with durations of 10 and 40 fs. While the short-pulse measurements are found to agree with a simple tunnel ionization picture, the long-pulse measurements cannot be explained by this same picture and suggest substantial nuclear motion within the molecule during the laser pulse.