Two-center Interference in the Photoionization Delays of Kr2

Abstract

We present the experimental observation of two-center interference in the ionization time delays of Kr2. Using attosecond electron-ion-coincidence spectroscopy, we simultaneously measure the photoionization delays of krypton monomer and dimer. The relative time delay is found to oscillate as a function of the electron kinetic energy, an effect that is traced back to constructive and destructive interference of the photoelectron wave packets that are emitted or scattered from the two atomic centers. Our interpretation of the experimental results is supported by solving the time-independent Schrodinger equation of a 1D double-well potential, as well as coupled-channel multiconfigurational quantum-scattering calculations of Kr2. This work opens the door to the study of a broad class of quantum-interference effects in photoionization delays and demonstrates the potential of attosecond coincidence spectroscopy for studying weakly bound systems.