Signatures of under-the-barrier dynamics in a tunneling electron wavepacket

Abstract The time delay in strong field tunneling ionization presents a captivating challenge in the field of attoscience. It is linked to the phase of the photoelectron wavepacket, a relationship that modern attosecond photoelectron interferometry can effectively probe. However, the connection between sub-barrier dynamics and the phase formation remains unclear. In this study, we investigate the role of under-the-barrier recollisions for shaping the phase of the photoelectron wavepacket. We establish a general analytical relationship between the phase of the tunneled electron wavepacket and the tunneling rate. Our results demonstrate that the Coulomb field effect of the atomic potential enhances both the amplitude of the recolliding path and the phase shift of the wavepacket, effectively countering the lateral spreading of the tunneling wavepacket during sub-barrier propagation. The insights gained from this research will aid in the development of free electron wavepackets with tailored properties through strong field ionization.