Fast electron generation by Coulomb scattering on spatially correlated ions in a strong laser field

Abstract

Electrons colliding with spatially fixed ions in strong laser fields are investigated by solving the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation. Considering first simple one-dimensional model systems, the mechanisms and energy spectra of fast electrons are analyzed, starting from collisions on a single ion. By using these electrons as projectiles for a second and third collision, the maximum possible energy obtained can be significantly increased. We then generalize the analysis to 2D systems where additional angular degrees of freedom lead to a drastic loss of efficiency. This problem can be overcome by introducing external confinements, which allow to focus the electrons and increase the intensity of high-energy electrons.