Control of frustrated nonsequential double ionization channels with the carrier-envelope phase of elliptically polarized laser pulses

Using a classical approach, we theoretically investigate the frustrated double ionization (FDI) of Ar atoms under elliptically polarized (EP) laser fields. Its FDI yield is calculated as a function of laser intensity with different carrier-envelope phases (CEPs), and, similar to the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) dependence of nonsequential double ionization (NSDI), several knee-shaped structures appear. Moreover, both recollision and direct ionization trajectories are observed in FDI events for the “knee” structure regime. The footprints of which channel leads to FDI are encoded in the photoelectron momentum distributions. FDI events related to recollision excitation with subsequent ionization channels and recollision impact ionization channels can be controlled by CEP in EP laser fields.