Laser-induced electron emission from nanostructures: A first-principles study

Abstract

Time-dependent density functional theory simulation of laser-induced ionization is presented. Various test systems including a small wire-like molecule, C12H14, as well as carbon nanotubes with varying diameter are studied. It has been demonstrated that significant ionization electron current is produced when a laser pulse is applied. Moreover, pulse-like patterns of the current have been observed, which suggests that short laser pulses can be used to create spatially and temporally localized electron sources