title: Evidence for a T-shape break-up pattern in the triple photoionization of Li.
abstract: We examine the angular distributions of all three electrons ionized from Li by a single photon near the triple ionization threshold using a fully quantum-mechanical treatment. We find strong evidence for a T-shape break-up pattern at a 5 eV excess energy as previously predicted by quasiclassical simulations [A. Emmanouilidou and J. M. Rost, J. Phys. B 39, 4037 (2006); A. Emmanouilidou, P. Wang, and J. M. Rost, Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 063002 (2008)]. This finding is in conflict with the expected Wannier break-up dynamics of three electrons moving at mutual angles of 120°, which is expected to hold at energies a few eV above threshold. We use our quantum-mechanical approach to explore the physical mechanisms behind this unusual break-up configuration.
authors: Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Colgan
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Emmanouilidou
authors: M S
authors: MS
authors: Pindzola