Ionization of argon by two-color laser pulses with coherent phase control

Abstract

We present a joint experimental and theoretical study of ionization of argon atoms by a linearly polarized two-color laser field (800 nm, 400 nm). Changing the relative phase between the two colors, the forward-backward asymmetry of the doubly differential momentum distribution of emitted electrons can be controlled. We nd excellent agreement between the measurements and the solution of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation in the single-active electron approximation. Surprisingly, we also nd good agreement between the quantum and classical calculations of electron momentum distributions generated by lasers at optical wavelengths.