Above-threshold ionization of Mg by linearly and circularly polarized laser fields: Origin of the subpeaks in the photoelectron energy spectra

Abstract

We theoretically investigate above-threshold ionization of Mg by linearly and circularly polarized fs laser pulses. We find that the above-threshold ionization peaks are accompanied by small subpeaks for both linearly and circularly polarized pulses. We interpret the physical origin of the subpeaks as above-threshold ionization from the low-lying bound states which are far off-resonantly excited by the spectral wing of the pulse. This interpretation is confirmed by our comparative numerical studies. Furthermore, we provide a clear explanation of why this kind of subpeak in the photoelectron energy spectra has not been reported for smaller photon energies with Mg and other commonly used atoms such as H and rare gas atoms.