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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S61331/01
Title: The helium atom in intense laser fields
Principal Investigator: Taylor, Professor K
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Dr JS Parker
Project Partners:
Department: Sch of Mathematics and Physics
Organisation: Queen's University of Belfast
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 October 2003 Ends: 30 September 2006 Value (£): 215,861
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Light-Matter Interactions Scattering & Spectroscopy
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Information Technologies
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The helium (two-electron) atom in intense laser fields presents an unrivalled opportunity for the accurate scientific study (both experimentally and theoretically) of a real, fundamental, time-dependent, three-body system, governed by known electric forces and whose quantum mechanical evolution is controlled by the time-dependent Schrodinger equation (TDSE). The correlated ionizing motion of the two electrons is of particular interest and differing choices of laser wavelength and intensity allow the angular- and energy-resolved structure of this to be mapped out in a variety of circumstances. The mechanisms underlying such correlated double ionization are largely unknown, and remain extremely puzzling. The proposed research will explore such unknown territory by exploiting an accurate and reliable, world-leading, theoretical/computational approach, developed in Belfast over the past decade, that handles the TDSE for this two-electron system taking all electronic degrees of freedom fully into account. Using very substantial UK national supercomputer resource already granted, it will address wavelengths (-780 nm and -390 nm) of the ubiquitous Ti:sapphire laser and wavelengths over the range (6 nm to 100 nm) of new high-intensity Free Electron Lasers imminently available. The research will be pursued in close contact with worldleadina laboratory experiments being carried out on this topical and important system at the same laser wavelengths.
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Organisation Website: http://www.qub.ac.uk