Work

Enhanced multiphoton ionization driven by quantum light

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We present a first-principles S -matrix framework for multiphoton ionization driven by arbitrary quantum states of light, retaining the full spatial structure of the light fields. Within this framework, we show that the utilization of momentum-entangled photon pairs emitted by ultrathin nonlinear crystals can enhance resonant two-photon ionization cross sections by more than two orders of magnitude relative to an uncorrelated reference state. The enhancement stems from the broad distribution of the transverse momentum and is captured only by a nonparaxial treatment, while strongly underestimated in the paraxial approximation. Atom-specific estimates for resonant two-photon ionization in sodium indicate that the predicted effect should be observable with currently available photon-pair sources.

Source: Physical Review Research

DOI: 10.1103/pkjw-kh43

Authors: V. P. Kosheleva, S. Panahiyan, A. Rubio, F. Schlawin

Institutions: Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, Universität Hamburg, Flatiron Institute, Hamburg Centre for Ultrafast Imaging

Language: English

Topic: Laser-Matter Interactions and Applications

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,625

Funders: Simons Foundation, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, European Research Council