Multiple-plateau structure and scaling relation in photoelectron spectra of high-order above-threshold ionization

By developing a full quantum scattering theory of high-order above-threshold ionization, we study the energy spectra and the angular distributions of photoelectrons from atoms with intense laser fields shining on them. We find that real rescattering can occur many times, and even infinite times. The photoelectrons from the rescattering process form a broad plateau in the kinetic-energy spectrum. We further disclose a multiple-plateau structure formed by the high-energy photoelectrons, which absorb many photons during the rescattering process. Moreover, we find that both the angular distributions and the kinetic-energy spectra of photoelectrons obey the same scaling law as that for directly emitted photoelectrons.