Autoionizing Polaritons in Attosecond Atomic Ionization

N. Harkema, C. Cariker, E. Lindroth, L. Argenti, A. Sandhu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Light-induced states and Autler-Townes splitting of laser-coupled states are common features in the photoionization spectra of laser-dressed atoms. The entangled light-matter character of metastable Autler-Townes multiplets, which makes them autoionizing polaritons, however, is still largely unexplored. We employ attosecond transient-absorption spectroscopy in argon to study the formation of polariton multiplets between the 3s-14p and several light-induced states. We measure a controllable stabilization of the polaritons against ionization, in excellent agreement with ab initio theory. Using an extension of the Jaynes-Cummings model to autoionizing states, we show that this stabilization is due to the destructive interference between the Auger decay and the radiative ionization of the polaritonic components. These results give new insights into the optical control of electronic structure in the continuum and unlock the door to applications of radiative stabilization in metastable polyelectronic systems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number023202
JournalPhysical review letters
Volume127
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 9 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Autoionizing Polaritons in Attosecond Atomic Ionization'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this