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Quantum bridges in phase space: Interference and nonclassicality in strong-field enhanced ionisation

Chomet, H; Sarkar, D; Faria, CFDM; (2019) Quantum bridges in phase space: Interference and nonclassicality in strong-field enhanced ionisation. New Journal of Physics , 21 , Article 123004. 10.1088/1367-2630/ab55fa. Green open access

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Abstract

We perform a phase-space analysis of strong-field enhanced ionisation in molecules, with emphasis on quantum-interference effects. Using Wigner quasi-probability distributions and the quantum Liouville equation, we show that the momentum gates reported in a previous publication [N. Takemoto and A. Becker, Phys. Rev. A \textbf{84}, 023401 (2011)] may occur for static driving fields, and even for no external field at all. Their primary cause is an interference-induced bridging mechanism that occurs if both wells in the molecule are populated. In the phase-space regions for which quantum bridges occur, the Wigner functions perform a clockwise rotation whose period is intrinsic to the molecule. This evolution is essentially non-classical and non-adiabatic, as it does not follow equienergy curves or field gradients. Quasi-probability transfer via quantum bridges is favoured if the electron's initial state is either spatially delocalised, or situated at the upfield molecular well. Enhanced ionisation results from the interplay of this cyclic motion, adiabatic tunnel ionisation and population trapping. Optimal conditions require minimising population trapping and using the bridging mechanism to feed into ionisation pathways along the field gradient.

Type: Article
Title: Quantum bridges in phase space: Interference and nonclassicality in strong-field enhanced ionisation
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/ab55fa
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/ab55fa
Language: English
Additional information: Original content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 licence. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > Dept of Physics and Astronomy
URI: https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10086730
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