Abstract

In the last few years, first experiments have been performed where attosecond laser pulses have been used to study time-resolved electron dynamics. So far, these experiments have been two-color XUV+IR experiments, where attosecond time-resolution was achieved by attosecond IR streaking ¹ (appropriate for continuum electron dynamics) and by use of the sub-cycle time-dependence of IR (multi-photon) ionization. ² We have recently introduced two new methods that I will discuss in my talk, namely

1)                  angle- and energy-resolved measurements of the interference of an electron wave packet to be characterized with a continuum “reference” wavepacket, ³ and

2)                  (in molecules) a measurement of asymmetries in the ejection of charged fragments (indicative of localization of electrons in the molecule at the time of dissociation). ⁴

Method 1 was demonstrated in experiments on the photo-ionization of Helium. ³ Method 2 was demonstrated in a pump-probe experiment on the H₂ molecule. ⁴ In my colloquium I will discuss these two experiments, as well as the further prospects for the application of attosecond laser pulses towards the time-resolved measurement of electron dynamics.