Liu, A. H.Thumm, Uwe P. E.2016-04-062016-04-062015-10-28http://hdl.handle.net/2097/32353Citation: Liu, A. H., & Thumm, U. (2015). Criterion for Distinguishing Sequential from Nonsequential Contributions to the Double Ionization of Helium in Ultrashort Extreme-Ultraviolet Pulses. Physical Review Letters, 115(18), 5. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.115.183002We quantify sequential and nonsequential contributions in two-photon double ionization of helium atoms by intense ultrashort extreme-ultraviolet pulses with central photon energies (h) over bar omega(ctr) near the sequential double-ionization threshold. If the spectrum of such pulses overlaps both the sequential ((h) over bar omega > 54.4 eV) and nonsequential ((h) over bar omega < 54.4 eV) double-ionization regimes, the sequential and nonsequential double-ionization mechanisms are difficult to distinguish. By tracking the double-ionization asymmetry in joint photoelectron angular distributions, we introduce the two-electron forward-backward-emission asymmetry as a measure that allows the distinction of sequential and nonsequential contributions. Specifically, for <($)over bar>omega(ctr) = 50 eV pulses with a sine-squared temporal profile, we find that the sequential double-ionization contribution is the largest at a pulse length of 650 as, due to competing temporal and spectral constraints. In addition, we validate a simple heuristic expression for the sequential double-ionization contribution in comparison with ab initio calculations.This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).Differential Cross-SectionsDouble-PhotoionizationGasesPhysicsArticle