C. D. Lin, Anh-Thu Le, Cheng Jin, Hui Wei Attosecond and Strong-Field Physics

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Probing and controlling electrons and nuclei in matter at the attosecond timescale became possible with the generation of attosecond pulses by few-cycle intense lasers, and has revolutionized our understanding of atomic structure and molecular processes. This book provides an intuitive approach to this emerging field, utilizing simplified models to develop a clear understanding of how matter interacts with attosecond pulses of light. An introductory chapter outlines the structure of atoms and molecules and the properties of a focused laser beam. Detailed discussion of the fundamental theory of attosecond and strong-field physics follows, including the molecular tunnelling ionization model (MO-ADK theory), the quantitative rescattering (QRS) model, and the laser induced electronic diffraction (LIED) theory for probing the change of atomic configurations in a molecule. Highlighting the cutting-edge developments in attosecond and strong field physics, and identifying future opportunities and challenges, this self-contained text is invaluable for students and researchers in the field.