Systems and methods for petahertz optoelectronics

Abstract

Methods and systems for emitting photoelectrons from a solid surface are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the system includes a light source configured to generate a light beam comprising a first pulse and a second pulse separated by a time delay. The system includes a material defining a surface configured to be exposed to the light beam. The material has a dielectric permittivity of approximately 0 when exposed to the light beam. The light beam causes: formation of electromagnetic field waves at a material-dielectric interface associated with the surface, and emission of photoelectrons from the material at the material-dielectric interface, wherein the emission is a function of the time delay and an intensity of the light beam.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.