Asymmetric high-energy ion emission from argon clusters in intense laser fields

Abstract

Clusters of 2×10³ to 4×10⁴ Ar atoms are Coulomb exploded in intense (up to 8× 10¹⁵Wcm^-2) laser fields. The dependence of multiply charged argon ion energies on the polarization state of light is probed. A directional asymmetry in the ion-explosion energies is observed for the highest charge states. The ion-energy distribution consists of a low-energy isotropic component, and a high-energy anisotropic one. The results are discussed in terms of an asymmetric Coulomb-explosion scenario.