Strong Field Molecular Ionization

这项工作的重点是通过脉冲整形、分子碎片离子的速度图成像检测以及与理论的密切合作来发展我们对强场分子电离的理解。我们的研究计划借鉴了我们以前在强场相干控制方面的国家科学基金会资助的工作，并由三个主要重点组成。首先是强场电离产生的电子波包的研究。在强超快激光脉冲中，强场电离会导致多个离子态的居群，并产生阿秒电子动力学。我们感兴趣的是表征哪些离子态被填充，以及这如何依赖于激光脉冲参数。电子激发分子的分子电离研究是我们的第二个重点领域。通过研究电子激发态的电离，我们可以研究戴森重叠投影对强场电离的有效性，并加深我们对分子中电子相关性的理解。我们的第三个领域是通过强场电离和速度图成像来跟踪中性激发态弛豫。强场电离作为激发态分子动力学的探针具有许多优点，可以深入了解解离和内部转化。这个研究项目不断寻求整合教学和研究，同时影响广泛的参与者。参与研究的人员包括本科生（通过NSF本科生研究经验计划访问的学生以及石溪大学的学生），当地高中教师（通过NSF教师研究经验计划），研究生，博士后研究员和访问学者（通过NSF ROA计划）。这项工作本质上是多学科的，鼓励学生在物理和化学的边界上发展知识和兴趣。它还在光学、超快激光技术、真空硬件、数据采集硬件和计算机编程等使能领域提供优秀的技术和科学培训。

This work is focused on developing our understanding of strong field molecular ionization by using pulse shaping, velocity map imaging detection of molecular fragment ions and close collaboration with theory. Our research program draws upon our previous NSF funded work on strong field coherent control, and is composed of three main thrusts. First is the study of electron wave packets generated via strong field ionization. Strong field ionization in an intense ultrafast laser pulse can result in the population of multiple ionic states and the generation of attosecond electron dynamics. We are interested in characterizing which ionic states are populated and how this depends on laser pulse parameters. The study of molecular ionization from electronically excited molecules comprises our second thrust area. By studying ionization from electronically excited states, we can investigate the validity of Dyson overlap projections for strong field ionization and deepen our understanding of electron correlation in molecules. Our third area is following neutral excited state relaxation via strong field ionization and velocity map imaging. Strong field ionization has many advantages as a probe of excited state molecular dynamics, providing insight into dissociation and internal conversion.This research program continually seeks to integrate teaching and research while impacting a large range of participants. People involved in the research include undergraduate students (visiting students through the NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates program as well as students at Stony Brook University), local high school teachers (through the NSF Research Experience for Teachers program), graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and visiting scholars (through the NSF ROA program). The work is inherently multi-disciplinary, and encourages students to develop knowledge and interests at the boundary between physics and chemistry. It also provides excellent technical and scientific training in the enabling ares of optics, ultrafast laser technology, vacuum hardware, data acquisition hardware and computer programming.