N2O ionization and dissociation dynamics in intense few cycle femtosecond laser radiation

Using few cycle pulses, uniform-electric-field-ion imaging spectrometer and Dalitz plotting, we can identify two new stepwise processes, in the dissociation of the 3+ and 4+ states of N₂O in intense few cycle pulses at 4 × 10¹⁵ Wcm⁻². We observe suppression of selective channels at longer pulse length, which we attribute to molecular dynamics on the 2+ state and the shape of the 3+ potential, which influences propagation of the dissociating wave packet.