Absolute Measurement of Laser Ionization Yield in Atmospheric Pressure Range Gases over 14 Decades

Strong-field ionization is central to intense laser-matter interactions. However, standard ionization measurements have been limited to extremely low density gas samples, ignoring potential high density effects. Here, we measure strong-field ionization in atmospheric pressure range air, N_{2}, and A...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2020-01, Vol.124 (1), p.013201-013201, Article 013201
Main Authors: Woodbury, D, Schwartz, R M, Rockafellow, E, Wahlstrand, J K, Milchberg, H M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
Atmospheric pressure
Contaminants
Electron avalanche
Field ionization
Gas sampling
Gases
Lasers
Multiplication
Physics
Rarefied gases
Single electrons
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Summary:Strong-field ionization is central to intense laser-matter interactions. However, standard ionization measurements have been limited to extremely low density gas samples, ignoring potential high density effects. Here, we measure strong-field ionization in atmospheric pressure range air, N_{2}, and Ar over 14 decades of absolute yield, using mid-IR picosecond avalanche multiplication of single electrons. Our results are consistent with theoretical rates for isolated atoms and molecules and quantify the ubiquitous presence of ultralow concentration gas contaminants that can significantly affect laser-gas interactions.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.124.013201