No Arabic abstract
Single photon laser enabled Auger decay (spLEAD) has been redicted theoretically [Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 083004 (2013)] and here we report its first experimental observation in neon. Using coherent, bichromatic free-electron laser pulses, we have detected the process and coherently controlled the angular distribution of the emitted electrons by varying the phase difference between the two laser fields. Since spLEAD is highly sensitive to electron correlation, this is a promising method for probing both correlation and ultrafast hole migration in more complex systems.
We demonstrate coherent microwave control of the rotational, hyperfine and Zeeman states of ultracold CaF molecules, and the magnetic trapping of these molecules in a single, selectable quantum state. We trap about $5times 10^{3}$ molecules for 2 s at a temperature of 65(11) $mu$K and a density of $1.2 times 10^{5}$ cm$^{-3}$. We measure the state-specific loss rate due to collisions with background helium.
Laser-assisted electron scattering (LAES), a light-matter interaction process that facilitates energy transfer between strong light fields and free electrons, has so far been observed only in gas phase. Here we report on the observation of LAES at condensed phase particle densities, for which we create nano-structured systems consisting of a single atom or molecule surrounded by a superfluid He shell of variable thickness (32-340 angstrom). We observe that free electrons, generated by femtosecond strong-field ionization of the core particle, can gain several tens of photon energies due to multiple LAES processes within the liquid He shell. Supported by Monte Carlo 3D LAES and elastic scattering simulations, these results provide the first insight into the interplay of LAES energy gain/loss and dissipative electron movement in a liquid. Condensed-phase LAES creates new possibilities for space-time studies of solids and for real-time tracing of free electrons in liquids.
In this work we report the modification of the normal Auger line shape under the action of an intense x-ray radiation. Under strong Rabi-type coupling of the core, the Auger line profile develops into a doublet structure with an energy separation mainly determined by the relative strength of the Rabi coupling. In addition, we find that the charge resolved ion yields can be controlled by judicious choice of the x-ray frequency.
The KLL Auger spectrum of rubidium following the electron capture decay of $^{83}$Sr and $^{85}$Sr isotopes was experimentally studied in detail for the first time using one $^{83}$Sr source and three $^{85}$Sr sources in different host matrices. Energies, relative intensities, and natural widths of all the nine well-resolved basic spectrum components were determined and compared with both predictions and experimental data for krypton. Results of our multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock calculations demonstrated an influence of the atomic structure effect on absolute energies of the KLL transitions following the creation of initial vacancies by the electron capture decay. Environmental effects on the KLL Auger spectrum were distinctly observed only for the absolute transition energies.
We have studied the formation of ultracold RbSr molecules with laser pulses. After discussing the advantages of the Mott insulator phase for the control with pulses, we present two classes of strategies. The first class involves two electronic states. Two extensions of stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) for multi-level transitions are used : alternating STIRAP (A-STIRAP) and straddle STIRAP (S-STIRAP). Both transfer dynamics are modeled and compared. The second class of strategies involves only the electronic ground state and uses infrared (IR)/TeraHertz (THz) pulses. The chemical bond is first created by the application of a THz chirped pulse or $pi$-pulse. Subsequently, the molecules are transferred to their ro-vibrational ground state using IR pulses. For this last step, different optimized pulse sequences through optimal control techniques, have been studied. The relative merits of these strategies in terms of efficiency and robustness are discussed within the experimental feasibility criteria of present laser technology.