Non-sequential double ionization of Mg atoms in elliptically polarized laser fields

Abstract

The non-sequential double ionization of the Mg atom in elliptically polarized laser fields is investigated. The numerical results indicate that the ‘knee’ structure is more obvious with increasing ellipticity in the laser intensity range (1013–1015 W cm−2) we considered, and recollision excitation with subsequent tunnelling ionization occurs much more easily at higher ellipticity, which can be well explained by the corresponding momentum distribution of electrons. Moreover, the ionized electron energy of Mg atoms at the end of the pulse also indicates that rescattering of electrons still occurs in elliptically polarized laser fields. In addition, the angular distribution of ionized electrons is also calculated and the result shows that angular distribution of electrons is no longer along the x-axis in elliptically polarized laser fields.