Effects of laser polarization on photoelectron angular distribution through laser-induced continuum structure

Abstract

We theoretically investigate the effects of laser polarization on the photoelectron angular distribution through laser-induced continuum structure. We focus on a polarization geometry where the probe and dressing lasers are both linearly polarized and change the relative polarization angle between them. We find that the total ionization yield and the branching ratio into different ionization channels change as a function of the relative polarization angle, and accordingly the photoelectron angular distribution is altered. We present specific results for the $4{p}_{1∕2}\text{\ensuremath{-}}6{p}_{1∕2}$ and $4{p}_{3∕2}\text{\ensuremath{-}}6{p}_{3∕2}$ systems of the K atom and show that the change of the polarization angle leads to a significant modification of the photoelectron angular distribution.