Research & Teaching Faculty

Observation of above-threshold dissociation of Na-2(+) in intense laser fields

TitleObservation of above-threshold dissociation of Na-2(+) in intense laser fields
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsZhang, Q, Hepburn, JW, Shapiro, M
JournalPhysical Review A
Volume78
Pagination4
Date PublishedAug
Type of ArticleArticle
ISBN Number1050-2947
KeywordsD-2, DYNAMICS, FEMTOSECOND, H-2(+), H2, MOLECULES, MULTIPHOTON IONIZATION, PHOTODISSOCIATION
Abstract

We report the observation of above-threshold dissociation of a multielectron molecular system, Na-2(+). The process is due to continuum-continuum transitions in a field-dressed molecular continuum. Three well-resolved fragmentation channels with different kinetic energy release patterns have been detected, of which two are associated with ordinary photodissociation via "light-induced potentials" into Na(3s)+Na+ and Na(3p)+Na+, and one with continuum-continuum transitions and above-threshold dissociation into Na(3p)+Na+. We show that when we dress this molecule with a field whose intensity is similar to 3 X 10(12) W/cm(2), above-threshold dissociation prevails over other processes, such as field ionization followed by Coulomb explosion.

URL<Go to ISI>://000259263400012