Time-dependent configuration-interaction-singles calculation of the 5p5p-subshell two-photon ionization cross section in xenon

The $5p$ two-photon ionization cross section of xenon in the photon-energy range below the one-photon ionization threshold is calculated within the time-dependent configuration-interaction-singles (TDCIS) method. The TDCIS calculations are compared to random-phase-approximation (RPA) calculations [Wendin \textit{et al.}, J. Opt. Soc. Am. B \textbf{4}, 833 (1987)] and are found to reproduce the energy positions of the intermediate Rydberg states reasonably well. The effect of interchannel coupling is also investigated and found to change the cross section of the $5p$ shell only slightly compared to the intrachannel case.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure

Wave-packet propagation based calculation of above-threshold ionization in the x-ray regime

We investigate the multi-photon process of above-threshold ionization for the light elements hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen in the hard x-ray regime. Numerical challenges are discussed and by comparing Hartree-Fock-Slater calculations to configuration-interaction-singles results we justify the mean-field potential approach in this regime. We present a theoretical prediction of two-photon above-threshold-ionization cross sections for the mentioned elements. Moreover, we study how the importance of above-threshold ionization varies with intensity. We find that for carbon, at x-ray intensities around $10^{23}{\rm Wcm}^{-2}$, two-photon above-threshold ionization of the K-shell electrons is as probable as one-photon ionization of the L-shell electrons.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures, 1 tabl

Application of the Maupertuis Principle to quantum mechanics

In its geometric form, the Maupertuis Principle states that the movement of a classical particle in an external potential V(x) can be understood as a free movement in a curved space with the metric gμν(x) = 2M[V(x) - E]δμν. We extend this principle to the quantum regime by showing that the wavefunction of the particle is governed by a Schrödinger equation of a free particle moving through curved space. The kinetic operator is the Weyl-invariant Laplace–Beltrami operator. On the basis of this observation, we calculate the semiclassical expansion of the particle density

Theoretical characterization of the collective resonance states underlying the xenon giant dipole resonance

We present a detailed theoretical characterization of the two fundamental collective resonances underlying the xenon giant dipole resonance (GDR). This is achieved consistently by two complementary methods implemented within the framework of the configuration-interaction singles (CIS) theory. The first method accesses the resonance states by diagonalizing the many-electron Hamiltonian using the smooth exterior complex scaling technique. The second method involves a new application of the Gabor analysis to wave-packet dynamics. We identify one resonance at an excitation energy of 74 eV with a lifetime of 27 as, and the second at 107 eV with a lifetime of 11 as. Our work provides a deeper understanding of the nature of the resonances associated with the GDR: a group of close-lying intrachannel resonances splits into two far-separated resonances through interchannel couplings involving the 4d electrons. The CIS approach allows a transparent interpretation of the two resonances as new collective modes. Due to the strong entanglement between the excited electron and the ionic core, the resonance wave functions are not dominated by any single particle-hole state. This gives rise to plasma-like collective oscillations of the 4d shell as a whole.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, 2 table

Quantum optimal control of photoelectron spectra and angular distributions

Photoelectron spectra and photoelectron angular distributions obtained in photoionization reveal important information on e.g. charge transfer or hole coherence in the parent ion. Here we show that optimal control of the underlying quantum dynamics can be used to enhance desired features in the photoelectron spectra and angular distributions. To this end, we combine Krotov's method for optimal control theory with the time-dependent configuration interaction singles formalism and a splitting approach to calculate photoelectron spectra and angular distributions. The optimization target can account for specific desired properties in the photoelectron angular distribution alone, in the photoelectron spectrum, or in both. We demonstrate the method for hydrogen and then apply it to argon under strong XUV radiation, maximizing the difference of emission into the upper and lower hemispheres, in order to realize directed electron emission in the XUV regime

Suppression of hole decoherence in ultrafast photoionization

In simple one-photon ionization, decoherence occurs due to entanglement between ion and photoelectron. Therefore, the preparation of coherent superpositions of electronic eigenstates of the hole in the photoion is extremely difficult. We demonstrate for the xenon atom that the degree of electronic coherence of the photoion in attosecond photoionization can be enhanced if the influence of many-body interactions is properly controlled. A mechanism at low photon energies involving multiphoton ionization is found, suppressing the loss of coherence through ionization into the same photoelectron partial waves. The degree of coherence found between the 4 d0 and 5 s hole states is, on the one hand, limited by Auger decay of the 4 d0 hole. On the other hand, increasing the population ratio such that a significant portion of the state is in a true superposition of both states renders the maximization of the degree of coherence difficult

Nonlinear effects in photoionization over a broad photon-energy range within the TDCIS scheme

The present tutorial provides an overview of the time-dependent configuration interaction singles scheme applied to nonlinear ionization over a broad photon-energy range. The efficient propagation of the wave function and the calculation of photoelectron spectra within this approach are described and demonstrated in various applications. Above-threshold ionization of argon and xenon in the extreme ultraviolet energy range is investigated as an example. A particular focus is put on the xenon 4d giant dipole resonance and the information that nonlinear ionization can provide about resonance substructure. Furthermore, above-threshold ionization is studied in the x-ray regime and the intensity regime, at which multiphoton ionization starts to play a role at hard x-ray photon energies, is identified