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Atoms in Strong Laser Fields: Lecture 2: Theoretical Methods I

The document discusses theoretical methods for modeling atoms in strong laser fields. It summarizes three main methods: [1] classical methods that model the electron propagation classically, [2] perturbative methods that use time-dependent perturbation theory, and [3] the strong-field approximation which neglects the binding potential when the electron is in the continuum. It provides details on the Gordon-Volkov series used in perturbative methods and formulations of the strong-field approximation according to Keldysh and Faisal-Reiss.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
82 views12 pages

Atoms in Strong Laser Fields: Lecture 2: Theoretical Methods I

The document discusses theoretical methods for modeling atoms in strong laser fields. It summarizes three main methods: [1] classical methods that model the electron propagation classically, [2] perturbative methods that use time-dependent perturbation theory, and [3] the strong-field approximation which neglects the binding potential when the electron is in the continuum. It provides details on the Gordon-Volkov series used in perturbative methods and formulations of the strong-field approximation according to Keldysh and Faisal-Reiss.

Uploaded by

Roy Vesey
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Atoms in strong laser fields

C. Figueira de Morisson Faria


Institut für theoretische Physik, Universtität Hannover
Appelstr 2, 30167 Hannover, Germany

Lecture 2: Theoretical methods I

• Classical methods
• Perturbative methods

— Low-intensity perturbation theory

— Gordon-Volkov series
— Strong-field approximation (KFR theories)

References

• M. Gavrila, Atoms in Strong Laser Fields, Academic Press, 1992


• C.F.M.F, Ph.D. thesis (TU-Berlin, 1999)
• A. Fring, V. Kostrykin and R. Schrader, J. Phys. B 29, 5651 (1996)
• W. Becker, A. Lohr, M. Kleber and M. Lewenstein, PRA 56, 645 (1997)

1
Classical methods

Classical electron in a laser field


• Electron propagation in the continuum:

r̈(t) = −∇V
 ~} € −E(t)
neglected

• Initial conditions:
— v(t0 ) = 0 (vanishing drift velocity)

— r(t0 ) = 0 (electron released from the origin)

v(t) = A(t) − A(t0)


] t
r(t) = A(τ )dτ − (t − t0 )A(t0)
t0

• return time t1: r(t1 ) = 0

• High-harmonic generation: Ω = |ε0| + Ekin(t1 , t0)


• High-order above-threshold ionization: 12 [p − A(t0 )]2 = Ekin(t1, t0)
• Nonsequential double ionization:
[
[pi − A(t0 )]2 = Ekin(t1, t0) − |ε02 |
~}€
2nd ionization potential
with Ekin (t1 , t0) = 12 [A(t1) − A(t0)]2 (kinetic energy upon return)

2
Tangent construction

• Graphical method for finding t1


(see, e.g., G.G. Paulus et al, PRA 52, 4043 (1995))
• Pre-requisite: linear polarization

Return condition
U t1
• x(t1 ) = 0 ⇒ A(τ )dτ = (t1 − t0)A(t0 )
t0
Ut
• Defining F (t) = A(τ )dτ we have

F (t1) = F (t0 ) + (t1 − t0)F (t0 )

Intersection of F(t) with its tangent at t0

Cutoff condition

• ∂Ekin(t1, t0 )/∂t0 = 0

A(t0) = A(t1) − (t1 − t0)E(t1 )

Intersection of A(t) with its tangent at t1

3
Perturbative methods

Time evolution operator

|ψ(t) = U(t, t ) |ψ(t )

• Makes the system evolve from t to t


• Obeys:

— Time-dependent Schrödinger equation


−1
— U(t, t ) = U (t , t); U(t, t) = 1; U(t, t )U (t , t ) = U (t, t )
DuHamel (or Dyson) equation:
] t
Ua (t, t ) = Ub (t, t ) − i Ua (t, s)(Ha (s) − Hb (s))Ub(s, t )ds
]t t
= Ub (t, t ) − i Ub (t, s)(Ha (s) − Hb (s))Ua(s, t )ds
t
with

• Uj (t, t )(j = a, b) time evolution operators


• Hj (t)(j = a, b) time-dependent Hamiltonians
Perturbation theory: DuHamel equation is iterated

] t
Ua(t, t ) = Ub(t, t ) − i Ub (t, s)Ha,b(s)Ub (s, t )ds
] t ] s t
− ds Ub (t, s) Ha,b (s) Ub (s, s )Ha,b (s )Ub(s , t )ds + ...
t t  ~} €
Ha − Hb
4
Standard ("low-intensity") perturbation theory:

• Ha ≡ H = p2/2 + V + Hint(t)(“full” Hamiltonian)


• Hb ≡ H0 = p2/2 + V (field-free Hamiltonian)

Gordon-Volkov (GV) series:


(Volkov, Zeit. für Physik 94, 250 (1935); Gordon, ibid. 40, 117 (1926). )

• Ha = p2 /2 + V + Hint (t)
• Hb ≡ H (GV ) = p2/2 + Hint(t) (GV Hamiltonian)

Strong-field approximation (KFR theories)


L. V. Keldysh, Sov. Phys. JETP 20, 1307 (1965); F.H.M. Faisal, J. Phys. B 6,
L89 (1973); H. R. Reiss, PRA 22, 1786 (1980).

• Formally:
— Both series are mixed
— Referred to as perturbation theory with a modified basis

• Physical idea:
— Neglect Hint when the e− is bound

— Neglect V when the e is in the continuum

Which of these approximations breaks the Gauge


invariance?

5
Different formulations: difference between K F and R
(context: ionization probabilities)

• Initial state: field-free bound state


• Final state: continuum state

Transition amplitude:

M = lim ψp (t+) S(t+, t−) |φ0(t−)
t±→±∞

with
S = lim exp(it+H+) · U (t+, t−) · exp(−it−H−)
t±→±∞

and
H± = lim H(t)
t±→±∞

Strong-field approximation:

] t
U(t, t ) U0 (t, t ) − i dt U (GV )(t, t )Hint (t )U0 (t , t )
t

Keldysh Faisal-Reiss
Length gauge: Velocity gauge
Hint (t) = r.E(t) Hint (t) = −p.A(t) + A2 (t)

6
Application: above-threshold ionization

Direct electrons


θ

Cutoff: 2Up

Transition amplitude:
U t+ G 

Becker et al: M = −i lim ψ(GV
p
)
(t) V |ψ 0(t ) dt
t±→±∞ t−

This formulation is equivalent to

U t+ G 

M = −i lim ψ(GV
p
)
(t) Hint (t) |ψ0 (t) dt
t±→±∞ t−

How to prove it ?

7
• We take
Hint (t) = Hint (t) + p2/2 − (p2/2 + V ) +V
 ~} €  ~} €
H (GV )(t) H0 (t)

• and use

i∂tU (∗)(t, t ) = H (∗)(t)U (∗)(t, t )

−i∂t U (∗)(t, t ) = U (∗)(t, t )H (∗)(t )


with (∗) = (GV ) or (0)
and

∂t (ABC) = ∂t(A)BC + A∂t (B)C + AB∂t(C)

8
Rescattered electrons


θ

t
Cutoff: 10U p

Generalized KFR theory:


] t
U(t, t ) U0(t, t ) − i dt U (GV )(t, t )Hint(t )U0(t , t )
t
] t ] t
− dt dt U (GV )(t, t )V U (GV )(t , t )Hint(t )U0 (t , t )
t t

Transition amplitude:

] t+ ] t G 
(GV ) 
M = −i lim dt dt ψ p (t) V U (GV )(t, t )V |ψ0 (t )
t±→±∞ t− t−

9
Gauge-equivalent Hamiltonians

Hi (t) = i∂tTj←i (t)Tj←i (t)−1 + Tj←i(t)Hj (t)Tj←i (t)−1

• Length gauge

Hl (t) = − + V + r · E(t)
2
Tv←l (t) = eiA(t).r
• Velocity gauge
1
Hv (t) = (−i∇ − A(t))2 + V
2
Tv←KH (t) = e−ia(t)eic(t).p
• Kramers-Henneberger gauge
Tl←KH (t) = e−ia(t)e−iA(t).reic(t).p

HKH (t) = − + V (r − c(t))
2

]t
• a(t) = 1
2
A2(s)ds

]t
• c(t) = A(s)ds

10
Time evolution operators

Ui (t, t ) = Tj←i (t)Uj (t, t )Tj←i(t )−1

Gordon-Volkov time-evolution operator


• Kramers-Henneberger gauge

(GV )
UKH (t, t ) = exp[−ip2(t − t )/2]
• Length gauge

Tl←KH = exp[−ia(t) − iA(t).r + ic(t).p]

(GV ) −1
Ul (t, t ) = Tl←KH (t) exp[−ip2(t − t )/2]Tl←KH (t )

• Velocity gauge

Tv←KH = exp[−ia(t) + ic(t).p]

−1
Uv(GV )(t, t ) = Tv←KH (t) exp[−ip2(t − t )/2]Tv←KH (t )

11
Momentum space
Amplitude
] ∞ ] t ]
Mresc = − dt dt d3 k eiSp (t,t ,k)Vpk Vk0
−∞ −∞

with
U∞ 2 Ut
Sp(t, t , k) = − 12 t dτ [p − A(τ )] − 1
2 t dτ [k − A(τ )]2 + |E0|t

• Vpk = p| V |k
• Vk0 = k − A(t )| V |0

Derivation: one needs

]t
(GV )
p | Ul (t, t ) |p = exp[−i [p − A(s)]2 dsδ(p − p − A(t))]
t

12

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