Abstract
We have investigated multiphoton multiple ionization dynamics of xenon atoms using a new x-ray free-electron laser facility, SPring-8 Angstrom Compact free electron LAser (SACLA) in Japan, and identified that Xen+ with n up to 26 is produced at a photon energy of 5.5 keV. The observed high charge states (n >= 24) are produced via five-photon absorption, evidencing the occurrence of multiphoton absorption involving deep inner shells. A newly developed theoretical model, which shows good agreement with the experiment, elucidates the complex pathways of sequential electronic decay cascades accessible in heavy atoms. The present study of heavy-atom ionization dynamics in high-intensity hard-x-ray pulses makes a step forward towards molecular structure determination with x-ray free-electron lasers. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.173005
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 173005 |
Journal | Physical Review Letters |
Volume | 110 |
Issue number | 17 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2013 |
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics