AbstractQuantum coherence plays a fundamental role in the study and control of ultrafast dynamics in matter. In the case of photoionization, entanglement of the photoelectron with the ion is a well-known source of decoherence when only one of the particles is measured. Here, we investigate decoherence due to entanglement of the radial and angular degrees of freedom of the photoelectron. We study two-photon ionization via the 2s2p autoionizing state in He using high spectral resolution photoelectron interferometry. Combining experiment and theory, we show that the strong dipole coupling of the 2s2p and 2p$$^2$$ states results in the entanglement of the angular and radial degrees of freedom. This translates, in angle-integrated measurements, into a dynamic loss of coherence during autoionization. Graphic Abstract
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Autoionizing states in attosecond spectroscopy
Autoionizing states are pervasive features of atomic and molecular ionization processes. We illustrate how the evolution of autoionizing states in polyelectronic atoms can be monitored and controlled with attosecond pump-probe photoelectron and transient- absorption spectroscopy.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1912507
- PAR ID:
- 10360807
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Frontiers in Optics + Laser Science 2021
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- LTu6E.3
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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