Attosecond correlated dynamics of two electrons passing through a transition state

Abstract

The strong-field induced decay of a doubly excited, transient Coulomb complex Ar **→Ar2 ++2e - is explored by tracing correlated two-electron emission in nonsequential double ionization of Ar as a function of the carrier-envelope phase. Using <6fs pulses, electron emission is essentially confined to one optical cycle. Classical model calculations support that the intermediate Coulomb complex has lost memory of its formation dynamics and allows for a consistent, though model-dependent definition of "emission time," empowering us to trace transition-state two-electron decay dynamics with sub-fs resolution. We find a most likely emission time difference of ∼200±100 as. © 2012 American Physical Society.