Electron emission from a metal nano-tip by ultrashort laser pulses

Abstract

We theoretically investigate the interaction of near-infrared few cycle laser pulses of moderate intensity with nano-scale metal tips. Macroscopic field enhancement leads to coherent electron emission from the tip apex. Electron spectra are simulated with time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). We investigate the dependence of the simulated electron spectra on the choice of exchange-correlation potential and atomic core pseudo-potential.