Dynamics of D3+slow dissociation induced by intense ultrashort laser pulses

Abstract

The dissociation of D${}_{3}$${}^{+}$ in intense ultrashort laser pulses is investigated using an improved coincidence three-dimensional momentum imaging method that allows clear separation of all fragmentation channels and the determination of the kinetic energy release down to zero. Our results, using 10-fs, 790-nm pulses, suggest that a large peak at low kinetic energy release is associated with the D${}^{+}$ + D${}_{2}$ dissociation channel of D${}_{3}$${}^{+}$. The most likely dissociation pathways leading to two-body breakup of D${}_{3}$${}^{+}$ are identified with additional measurements using 25-fs, 790-nm and 40-fs, 395-nm pulses. We also show that the slow D${}^{+}$ + D${}_{2}$ dissociation dynamics can be manipulated by the pulse duration.