Multiphoton Phenomena in Photoelectron Emission Processes of Metals at High Laser Intensities

Abstract

Before the advent of lasers, photoeffect was known in the form of the linear photoeffect characterised by Einstein’s equation

$$h=A+\frac{1}{2}m{{v}^{2}}$$

and by the linear relation j ∝ I between the photocurrent j and the light intensity I. When, however, the work function A of a metal characterized by the Fermi energy of the Sommerfeld-type conduction electron gas is higher than the photon energy bv of the irradiating laser light, multiphoton surface photoeffect may occur. The detailed description of the problems related to the multiphoton photoeffect is published in form of the review papers [1,2,3].

Vortrag gehalten anläßlich der Fachtagung „Laserspektroskopie“, Graz, 19.–21. Juni 1978.