Femtosecond ionization of magnesium clusters grown in ultracold helium droplets

Magnesium clusters grown in helium droplets and ionized with femtosecond laser pulses have been studied by high resolution mass spectrometry. For moderate laser intensities the abundance spectra show characteristic features indicating electronic shell effects. Compared to clusters of s–electron metals additional shell closures appear resulting from an electron rearrangement. Irradiation with higher laser intensities leads to a decomposition of the magnesium clusters into atomic ions. Due to charge exchange with the surrounding helium matrix mainly singly and doubly charged magnesium ions remain. In addition, the occurrence of MgHe+N–complexes is observed. Their abundance depends on the shape of the laser field, i.e. the laser width and the optical delay when applying the pump–probe technique. PACS. 36.40.Cg Electronic and magnetic properties of clusters – 71.30.+h Metal-insulator transitions and other electronic transitions