Open AccessNonlinear polarization and ionization in O2: metastable electronic state model
Author(s) -
Jonathan Heinz,
Ran Reiff,
Tennesse Joyce,
Andreas Becker,
M. Kolesík
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.399719
Subject(s) - metastability , ionization , polarization (electrochemistry) , nonlinear system , infrared , nonlinear optics , wavelength , physics , optics , atomic physics , terahertz radiation , materials science , chemistry , quantum mechanics , ion
We present a computational model for the nonlinear response of molecular oxygen exposed to strong mid-wavelength and long-wavelength infrared optical fields. Based on a non-Hermitian approach utilizing metastable electronic states, the nonlinear polarization and strong-field ionization are described as intimately connected properties. Good agreement with the measured nonlinear index and ionization rates is shown, and parameterized response functions are provided to facilitate applications in large-scale simulations of infrared optical pulses interacting with gaseous media.