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Tunnel ionizationTunnel ionization is a process in which electrons in an atom (or a molecule) pass through the potential barrier and escape from the atom (or molecule). In an intense electric field, the potential barrier of an atom (molecule) is distorted drastically. Therefore, the length of the barrier that electrons have to pass decreases and electrons can escape from the atom (molecule) easily. Additional recommended knowledgeAs an electric field of light is an alternating electric field, the direction of the electric field reverses after the half period of the field. Because electrons have a charge, electrons escaping by tunnel ionization come and go to the atom (molecule) in every half period. In this process, some electrons recombine with the nucleus (nuclei). Because the electrons have gained a large quantity of kinetic energy by acceleration from the electric field, surplus energy is released as light. The energy of this light is so high that this method is an effective way of generating ultraviolet light. When the recombination does not occur, further ionization proceeds by collision between high-energy electrons and a parent atom (molecule). Consequently, a multivalent ion is created and this ion is collapsed by Coulomb repulsion. This is called Coulomb explosion. References and background
The theoretical work of ADK is so far the most valid and highly appreciated theory. Physical ProcessTunneling Ionization is a QM phenomenon; a non-zero probability event for observing a particle escaping from the deformed Coulomb potential barrier, obviously this phenomenon is forbidden by classical laws. As Coulomb potential barrier is lowered, its width decreases. Increases probability of electron tunneling penetrating the barrier. The ADK probability formula gives the expression for the probability of tunnel ionization. Categories: Ions | Atomic physics |
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Tunnel_ionization". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia. |