Advanced Photonics, Volume. 8, Issue 1, (2026)

Attosecond-Resolved Photoionization Dynamics and Interference-Enhanced Photoelectron Circular Dichroism in Chiral Molecules [Early Posting]

Zhou Zheming, Li Yang, Zhou Yueming, Lu Peixiang
Author Affiliations
  • China
  • Shanghai Jiao Tong University
  • Wuhan, China
  • Wuhan Institute of Technology
  • show less

    Chiral molecules exhibit enantiosensitive light-matter interactions, with photoelectron circular dichroism (PECD) serving as a sensitive probe of molecular chirality through the asymmetry in the photoelectron wavepacket amplitude. Here, we theoretically demonstrate a photoelectron interferometric approach to access the phase of the photoelectron wavepacket and uncover attosecond dynamics in chiral molecule photoionization. Using circularly polarized attosecond XUV pulse trains synchronized with IR fields, we reveal distinct time delays between forward- and backward-ejected photoelectrons in a randomly oriented ensemble of chiral molecules. Moreover, we predict a pronounced enhancement of PECD due to the interference of the two photoionization pathways. The forward-backward time delay difference and the PECD are more prominent when the IR field counter-rotates with the XUV field. These results imply the counter-rotating IR field is more efficient in generating odd-parity photoelectron wavepackets in continuum-continuum transitions, highlighting the critical role of long-range chiral potential. Our work demonstrates a way of coherent control over the chiral photoelectron wavepackets, providing a route to enhance chiral signals and manipulate ultrafast chiral dynamics on attosecond time scales.

    Paper Information

    Manuscript Accepted: Dec. 2, 2025

    Posted: Dec. 2, 2025

    DOI: AP