Strong-field control and spectroscopy of attosecond electron-hole dynamics in molecules.

Abstract

Molecular structures, dynamics and chemical properties are determined by shared electrons in valence shells. We show how one can selectively remove a valence electron from either Pi vs. Sigma or bonding vs. nonbonding orbital by applying an intense infrared laser field to an ensemble of aligned molecules. In molecules, such ionization often induces multielectron dynamics on the attosecond time scale. Ionizing laser field also allows one to record and reconstruct these dynamics with attosecond temporal and sub-Angstrom spatial resolution. Reconstruction relies on monitoring and controlling high-frequency emission produced when the liberated electron recombines with the valence shell hole created by ionization.