arXiv subjects

W. Y. Li

Publications and source records attributed to W. Y. Li.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Statistical Characteristics of Tunneling States in Strong-Field Atomic Ionization

The state of the tunneling electron under the potential barrier is important in strong laser-atom interaction but is difficult to identify. Recent experiments showed that the tunneling electron may be located in a bound state with high symmetry [Phys. Rev. Lett. 134, 213201 (2025)]. However, the quantitative characteristic of the tunneling state in a tunneling event remains unclear. Here, we study tunneling ionization of atoms in strong circular laser fields. The calculated photoelectron momentum distribution (PMD) through numerical solution of time-dependent Schrödinger equation (TDSE) presents an isotropic ring-shaped distribution and the most probable momentum (MPM) along the ring can be easily identified. The kinetic energy related to MPM is remarkably smaller than that predicted by the strong-field approximation (SFA) that ignores Coulomb potential. Surprisingly, for different target atoms and laser parameters, the kinetic energy difference of MPM between TDSE and SFA is always close to half of the corresponding Coulomb potential at the tunnel exit. This phenomenon can be well described by a proposed model, which indicates that the tunneling electron is in an exit-position-dependent quasibound state agreeing with the virial theorem. These results quantitatively reveal the characteristics of tunneling states from a statistical perspective.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2023

Two-Color Attosecond Chronoscope

We study ionization of atoms in strong orthogonal two-color ($ω,2ω$) (OTC) laser fields numerically and analytically. The calculated photoelectron momentum distribution shows two typical structures: a rectangular-like structure and a shoulder-like structure, the positions of which depend on the laser parameters. Using a strong-field model which allows us to quantitatively evaluate the Coulomb effect, we show that these two structures arise from attosecond response of electron inside an atom to light in OTC-induced photoemission. Some simple mappings between the locations of these structures and response time are derived, with which we are able to establish two-color attosecond chronoscope with high resolution for timing electron emission in OTC-based precise manipulation.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2022

Response time of photoemission at quantum-classic boundary

The response time of the electron to light in photoemission is difficult to define and measure. Tunneling ionization of atoms, a strong-laser-induced photoemission process, provides a semiclassical case for visiting the problem. Here, we show that the response time can be determined at the boundary between quantum and classic. Specifically, tunneling is instantaneous but a finite response time (about 100 attoseconds) is needed for the state of the tunneling electron to evolve into the ionized state around tunnel exit. This time can be well described with a compact expression related to some basic laser and atomic parameters. Moreover, it can be directly mapped to and easily decoded from photoelectron momentum with a simple mapping, allowing an unambiguous measurement. These results shed light on definition and measurement of the response time of photoemission.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2022

Single-photon ionization of aligned H$_2^+$ with lower photon energy

We study single-photon ionization of aligned H$_2^+$ in a high-frequency low-intensity laser field. We focus on the case where the laser frequency is not far larger than the ionization potential of the target. The calculated photoelectron momentum distribution through numerical solution of time-dependent Schrödinger equation shows clear interference patterns. By developing a theory model applicable for high-frequency laser field, we show that the interference patterns can not be explained by the interference of the electronic wave with the observed momentum between these two atomic centers of the molecule. The Coulomb potential influences remarkably on the momentum of the emitting electronic wave responsible for this interference. Our results suggest a manner for probing the structure and the electron dynamics of the molecule in single-photon ionization.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2021

Local most-probable routes and classic-quantum correspondence in strong-field two-dimensional tunneling ionization

We study ionization of atoms in strong two-dimensional (2D) laser fields with various forms, numerically and analytically. We focus on the local most-probable tunneling routes (some specific electron trajectories) which are corresponding to the local maxima of photoelectron momentum distributions (PMDs). By making classic-quantum correspondence, we obtain a condition for these routes characterized by the electron position at the tunnel exit. With comparing the identified routes with the classical limit and the partial-decoupling approximation where it is assumed that tunneling is dominated by the main component of the 2D field, some semiclassical properties of 2D tunneling are addressed. The local maxima of PMD related to the local most-probable routes can be used as one of the preferred observables in ultrafast measurements.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2021

High ellipticity of harmonics from molecules in strong laser fields of small ellipticity

We study high-order harmonic generation (HHG) from aligned molecules in strong elliptically polarized laser fields numerically and analytically. Our simulations show that the spectra and polarization of HHG depend strongly on the molecular alignment and the laser ellipticity. In particular, for small laser ellipticity, large ellipticity of harmonics with high intensity is observed for parallel alignment, with forming a striking ellipticity hump around the threshold. We show that the interplay of the molecular structure and two-dimensional electron motion plays an important role here. This phenomenon can be used to generate bright elliptically-polarized EUV pulses.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2019

Strong-field double ionization dynamics of vibrating HeH$^+$ versus HeT$^+$

We study double ionization (DI) dynamics of vibrating HeH$^+$ versus its isotopic variant HeT$^+$ in strong laser fields numerically. Our simulations show that for both cases, these two electrons in DI prefer to release together along the H(T) side. At the same time, however, the single ionization (SI) is preferred when the first electron escapes along the He side. This potential mechanism is attributed to the interplay of the rescattering of the first electron and the Coulomb induced large ionization time lag. On the other hand, the nuclear motion increases the contributions of these two electrons releasing together along the He side. This effect differentiates DI of HeH$^+$ from HeT$^+$.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2017

Observations of kinetic-size magnetic holes in the magnetosheath

Magnetic holes (MHs), with a scale much greater than \r{ho}i (proton gyroradius), have been widely reported in various regions of space plasmas. On the other hand, kinetic-size magnetic holes (KSMHs), previously called small size magnetic holes (SSMHs), with a scale of the order of magnitude of or less than \r{ho}i have only been reported in the Earth's magnetospheric plasma sheet. In this study, we report such KSMHs in the magnetosheath whereby we use measurements from the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, which provides three-dimensional (3D) particle distribution measurements with a resolution much higher than previous missions. The MHs have been observed in a scale of 10 ~ 20 \r{ho}e (electron gyroradii) and lasted 0.1 ~ 0.3 s. Distinctive electron dynamics features are observed, while no substantial deviations in ion data are seen. It is found that at the 90° pitch angle, the flux of electrons with energy 34 ~ 66 eV decreased while for electrons of energy 109 ~ 1024 eV increased inside the MHs. We also find the electron flow vortex perpendicular to the magnetic field, a feature self-consistent with the magnetic depression. Moreover, the calculated current density is mainly contributed by the electron diamagnetic drift, and the electron vortex flow is the diamagnetic drift flow. The electron magnetohydrodynamics (EMHD) soliton is considered as a possible generation mechanism for the KSMHs with the scale size of 10 ~ 20 \r{ho}e.

physics.space-ph↗

arXiv2011

An algorithm for decoherence analyses of lights through three-dimensional periodic microstructures

A transfer-matrix algorithm is presented herein as a beginning to study the transmission characteristics of coherent light through three-dimensional periodic microstructures, in which the structures are treated as two-dimensional-layer stacks and multiple reflections are considered negligible. The spatial-correlated noise is further introduced layer by layer to realize the actual decoherence of the light and allows for statistical investigation of the partial spatially coherent optics in transparent mediums. Numerical analyses show comparable results to the Gaussian Schell model in free-space cases, indicating the validity of the algorithms.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2009

Superconductivity in iron telluride thin films under tensile stress

By realizing in thin films a tensile stress state, superconductivity of 13 K was introduced into FeTe, an non-superconducting parent compound of the iron pnictides and chalcogenides, with transition temperature higher than that of its superconducting isostructural counterpart FeSe. For these tensile stressed films, the superconductivity is accompanied by the softening of the first-order magnetic and structural phase transition; and also, the in-plane extension and out-of-plane contraction are universal in all FeTe films independent of sign of lattice mismatch, either positive or negative. Moreover, the correlations were found exist between the transition temperatures and the tetrahedra bond angles in these thin films.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2009

Preparation and superconductivity of iron selenide thin films

FeSex (x = 0.80, 0.84, 0.88, 0.92) thin films were prepared on SrTiO3(001) (STO), (La,Sr)(Al,Ta)O3(001) (LSAT), and LaAlO3(001) (LAO) substrates by pulsed laser deposition method. All thin films show single-phase and c-axis oriented epitaxial growth, and are superconducting. Among them, the FeSe0.88 thin films show Tc, onset of 11.8 K and Tc, 0 of 3.4 K. The upper critical magnetic field is estimated to be 14.0 T.

cond-mat.supr-con↗