Fall-back time for photo-ionized Cs atoms attached to superfluid He-4 nanodroplets

Abstract

We have studied the dynamic evolution of a Cs atom photo-excited from 6s to 6p and 7s states on a helium droplet using time-dependent 4He-DFT simulations. Depending on the excited electronic state, the Cs impurity remains on the droplet surface or it is ejected. Upon subsequent photo-ionization of the excited Cs atom the resulting Cs+ cation may either be ejected or come back to the droplet, depending on the time delay between photo-excitation and photo-ionization. We have calculated the critical time delay separating these two different behaviors, as well as final ion velocities. These observables will be used for future comparison with planned pump-probe experiments.