Keldysh time bounds of laser-driven ionization dynamics.

ABSTRACT

We revisit the energy-time uncertainty underpinning of the pointwise bounds of laser-driven ionization dynamics. When resolved within the driver pulse and its field cycle, these bounds are shown to manifest the key signature tendencies of photoionization current dynamics-a smooth growth within the pulse in the regime of multiphoton ionization and an abrupt, almost stepwise photocurrent buildup within a fraction of the field cycle in the limit of tunneling ionization. In both regimes, the Keldysh time, defined as the ratio of the Keldysh parameter to the driver frequency, serves as a benchmark for the minimum time of photoionization, setting an upper bound for the photoelectron current buildup rate.