title: Strong-field ionization rate depends on the sign of the magnetic quantum number.
abstract: We report the first experimental observation of the dependence of strong-field ionization rate on the sign of the magnetic quantum number. We measure the strong-field sequential double ionization yield of argon by two time-delayed near-circularly polarized laser pulses. It is found that double-ionization yield is enhanced more than 3 times if two lasers have the opposite helicities. Analysis shows that the single ionization of both the neutral and ion prefer the same sign of the magnetic quantum number. A qualitative and intuitive model is proposed to help understand this phenomenon.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA.
authors.forename: Thushani
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Herath
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Suk Kyoung
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li