title: Time-dependent density-functional studies of the D2 coulomb explosion.
abstract: Real-time first principle simulations are presented of the D(2) Coulomb explosion dynamics detonated by exposure to very intense few-cycle laser pulse. Three approximate functionals within the time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) functionals are examined for describing the electron dynamics, including time-dependent Hartree-Fock theory. Nuclei are treated classically with quantum corrections. The calculated results are sensitive to the underlying electronic structure theory, showing too narrow kinetic energy distribution peaked at too high kinetic energy when compared with recent experimental results (Phys. Rev. Lett. 2003, 91, 093002). Experiment also shows a low energy peak which is not seen in the present calculation. We conclude that while Ehrenfest-adiabatic-TDDFT can qualitatively account for the dynamics, it requires further development, probably beyond the adiabatic approximation, to be quantitative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Chemistry and the Lise Meitner Minerva-Center for Quantum Chemistry, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Livshits
authors.forename: Roi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baer