Semiclassical Coulomb-scattering model for strong–field tunneling ionization

This study analytically examines the ionization of atoms in strong near-circular laser fields. The classic Keldysh–Rutherford (KR) Coulomb-scattering (CS) model Phys. Rev. Lett.121 123201 (2018) successfully explained the attoclock experimental curve for the H atom at lower laser intensities. Here, we develop a semiclassical model that includes the initial conditions related to the quantum properties of tunneling in the KR model at the beginning of the scattering process. This model is able to explain recent attoclock experimental curves over a wider range of laser and atomic parameters. Our results show the importance of system symmetry and quantum effects in attoclock measurements, suggesting the complex role of the Coulomb potential in strong-field ionization.