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Electric Field Controlled, Pulsed Autoionization In Two Electron Wave Packets, J. Greg Story, Heider N. Ereifej

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, control of the evolution of a two electron wave packet through the application of a static electric field is demonstrated. Specifically, application of a small electric field is used to produce pulsed autoionization events, the timing of which can be controlled on a picosecond time scale. The technique is demonstrated by exciting calcium atoms using a short-pulsed laser to the 4p_3/219d doubly excited state, which is energy degenerate with the 4p_1/2nk stark states. Evolution of the resultant wave packet is monitored through the application of a second short laser pulse, which stimulates the …