Loss of contrast in attosecond temporal double slit interferometry in atomic photoionization*

Temporal double-slit interferometry [1] in quantum and coherent control can provide valuable insights into the quantum dynamics of atomic and molecular systems, making it an essential tool in ultrafast science. Recently, vortex-shaped electron wave packets ([2-5] and references therein), arising from the Ramsey interference of time-delayed electron wave packets with different magnetic quantum numbers produced by few-cycle ionizing arbitrarily-polarized pulses, have garnered significant attention due to its highly sensitive properties. These shaped electron vortices encode phase information in their wave packets, making them promising candidates for attosecond streaking [6] experiments, where they can serve as highly sensitive probes for uncovering timing information. However, the interaction of the infrared field used in attosecond streaking with the ionizing pulses that generate electron vortices requires thorough investigation.

In this work, we show how the deflection of a photoelectron by an infrared field can be visualized through the loss of contrast in attosecond temporal double-slit interferometry. Specifically, we examine how contrast diminishes in the momentum distribution of ejected electrons produced via single-photon and multiphoton ionization by two time-delayed, oppositely circularly polarized attosecond pulses in the presence of a weak, linearly polarized few-cycle infrared laser pulse. It is shown that the loss of contrast occurs predominantly along the polarization axis of the infrared laser. This study provides proof of concept for the potential loss of contrast in attosecond streaking experiments when shaped electron vortices are used.

 

References:

[1] M. Wollenhaupt et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. \textbf{89}, 173001 (2002)

[2] J. M. Ngoko Djiokap et al.,  Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 113004 (2015)

[3] D. Pengel et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. \textbf{118}, 053003 (2017)

[4] M. A. H. B. Md Yusoff and J. M. Ngoko Djiokap, Phys. Rev. A. \textbf{109}, 023107 (2024)

[5] D. K\"{o}hnke, T. Bayer and M. Wollenhaupt, Phys. Rev. A. \textbf{110}, 053109 (2024)

[6] J. Itatani et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. \textbf{88}, 173903 (2002)