Electron Emission from Metal Surfaces by Ultrashort Pulses: Determination of the Carrier-Envelope Phase

Abstract

The phase [Formula presented] of the field oscillations with respect to the peak of a laser pulse influences the light field evolution as the pulse length becomes comparable to the wave cycle and, hence, affects the interaction of intense few-cycle pulses with matter. We theoretically investigate photoelectron emission induced by an intense, few-cycle laser pulse from a metal surface (jellium) within the framework of time-dependent density functional theory and find a pronounced [Formula presented] dependence of the photocurrent. Our results reveal a promising route to measuring [Formula presented] of few-cycle light pulses ([Formula presented] at [Formula presented]) at moderate intensity levels ([Formula presented]) using a solid-state device. © 2003 The American Physical Society.