Circular RABBITT Goes under Threshold: A Sensitive Probe of Discrete Excitations in Noble Gas Atoms
Abstract
We introduce circular under-threshold RABBITT (cuRABBITT) as a new interferometric method to probe discrete electronic excitations in atoms with attosecond resolution. By combining circularly polarized attosecond pulses with broadband ("rainbow") spectral analysis, we directly access two-photon ionization amplitudes and their relative phases. Time-dependent Schrödinger simulations, supported by Green's function theory, reveal strong resonances in helium and argon and a Cooper-like minimum in xenon. These results demonstrate that cuRABBITT provides continuous spectral mapping of bound-state resonances and extends Fano's propensity rule into the under-threshold regime. Our Letter establishes cuRABBITT as a powerful attosecond metrology technique, opening the way to polarization-resolved studies of resonant dynamics in atoms and molecules.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Laser-Matter Interactions and Applications
Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Studies
Quantum optics and atomic interactions
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Physical Review Letters
- Publisher
- American Physical Society (APS)
- Volume
- 136
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 083202–083202
- Publication date
- 2 February 2026
- Language
- EN