title: Probing two-electron dynamics of an atom.
abstract: Coherent short-pulse laser excitation has been used to control the approximate energy and relative proximity of two valence electrons within the same alkaline-earth atom, thereby providing insight into the dynamical evolution of a three-body Coulomb system. Our time-domain experiments enable direct experimental study of the electron dynamics at the classical limit of a two-electron atom. As an example, we look at the mechanism of autoionization for one two-electron configuration class and find that the doubly excited atom decays through a single violent electron-electron collision rather than a gradual exchange of energy between the electrons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Virginia, 382 McCormick Road, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4714, USA.
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Pisharody
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Jones