Attosecond physics with a laser oscillator enabled by field enhancement at a nanoscale metal tip

M. Krüger, M. Schenk, P. Hommelhoff

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

With electrons laser-emitted from a nanoscale tungsten tip by few-cycle Titanium:sapphire oscillator pulses we demonstrate that we have reached the attosecond science regime, meaning that the electronic motion is controlled by the optical electric field of the laser pulses. We observe coherent elastic re-scattering at the parent tip as well as interference of the electronic wavefunction if it is emitted in two emission windows spaced by one optical period. Controlled by the carrier-envelope phase of the laser pulses, we can continuously tune between a single and two emission windows in time. All this is facilitated by field enhancement taking place at the tip's apex. From our results we obtain a field enhancement factor of 3. 6, depending on experimental conditions and on experimental signatures.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPlasmonics
Subtitle of host publicationMetallic Nanostructures and Their Optical Properties IX
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes
EventPlasmonics: Metallic Nanostructures and Their Optical Properties IX - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: 21 Aug 201125 Aug 2011

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume8096

Conference

ConferencePlasmonics: Metallic Nanostructures and Their Optical Properties IX
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period21/08/1125/08/11

Keywords

  • Attosecond science
  • Carrier-envelope phase
  • Field enhancement
  • Metal tip
  • Strong-field effects
  • Tungsten

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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