X. Zhang [1], R.R. Jones[1], and F. Robicheaux [2]
[1] University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
[2] Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
Abstract:We investigate the time-dependent evolution of a non-stationary 3-body Coulomb system at energies just below the threshold for three-body break-up. Experimentally, short-pulse lasers excite two electrons in Ba to radially localized Rydberg wave packets with well-defined energy and angular momentum. Time-dependent interactions between the two electrons are probed using half-cycle electric field pulses. The measurements indicate that substantial energy exchange between the two electrons is immediate upon the launch of the second wavepacket. Fully quantum and classical calculations support this observation, predicting extremely rapid autoionization under the experimental conditions. Calculations also show very fast angular momentum exchange and sensitivity to the relative binding energies of the two electrons.
Status: Published Physical Review Letters 110, 023002 (2013).
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