Nonsequential Double Ionization at the Single-Optical-Cycle Limit

We report differential measurements of Ar⁺⁺ ion momentum distributions from nonsequential double ionization in phase-stabilized few-cycle laser pulses. The distributions depend strongly on the carrier-envelope (CE) phase. Via control over the CE phase one is able to direct the nonsequential double-ionization dynamics. Data analysis through a classical model calculation reveals that the influence of the optical phase enters via (i) the cycle dependent electric field ionization rate, (ii) the electron recollision time, and (iii) the accessible phase space for inelastic collisions. Our model indicates that the combination of these effects allows a look into single cycle dynamics already for few-cycle pulses.