Photoionization microscopy: linear polarization rotation effects

Abstract

Synopsis Photoionization microscopy (PM) aims at imaging the flux of slow (meV) electrons released by atomic photoionization in the presence of a static electric field. We discuss the rotation of the linear light polari-zation with respect to the electric field direction. Two-photon ionization out of an m=0 initial state allows for the population of |m|=0,1,2 Stark states. The resulting |m|-beating effects in the PM images are demonstrated theoretically (in hydrogen atom) and experimentally (in Mg atom). Implications on the applicability of tomographic techniques for slow electrons are also discussed.