Abstract

This paper theoretically investigates an Auger cascade triggered upon exposure of a Kr atom to an intense ultrashort xuv laser. In the first step of the cascade, Auger electrons are released from a coherent superposition of core-excited states to form an intermediate ionic state, which further decays through the Auger process to form a double ionic final state. Results show that the interference due to electrons released from a coherent superposition of closely spaced core-excited states, in their common continuum, in the first step of the cascade significantly modifies the line shape of the coincidence spectrum of the two Auger electrons of the cascade. The variation of the laser peak intensity not only influences the peak magnitude and linewidth but also induces a peak shift in the coincidence electron spectrum; further, the high-intensity-induced Rabi oscillations between ground and core-excited state induce line-shape splitting in the coincidence electron spectrum of the two Auger electrons, thereby manifesting the effect of Rabi oscillations even for the second Auger electron of the cascade. This work shows that the inter-related decay widths of the core-excited state and intermediate ionic state significantly influence the line shape of the coincidence electron spectrum of a cascade decay. The angular distribution of the second electron released from the cascade system of krypton is also investigated.

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