Wavelength-dependent nonsequential double ionization of magnesium by intense femtosecond laser pulses

Abstract

We report on a systematic investigation of wavelength scaling strong-field double ionization of Mg in intense laser fields. A significant decrease of nonsequential double ionization (NSDI) yield with increasing wavelength from 800--2000 nm is observed. Our data is well reproduced by a three-dimensional Monte Carlo simulation considering recollision impact excitation cross section. We demonstrate that the NSDI of Mg mainly occurs via the first ionic excited state ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{+*}(3p\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{2}P_{3/2,1/2})$ pumped by returning electron impact process. The recollision impact direct ionization pathway plays a minor role here. The wavelength dependence of the NSDI ratio is due to the recollision energy-dependent excitation cross section as well as the electron wave packet diffusion effects, both sensitively depending on the wavelength. Our work represents a step towards strong-field double ionization experiments on Mg in the long wavelength limit and sheds light on the NSDI mechanism of alkaline-earth metal atoms.