Efficient electron acceleration was observed in clusters induced by a laser field at 1.8 μm that consisted of only two optical cycles. In this regime that is dominated by electronic rather than nuclear dynamics, clear signatures of direct electron emission were observed as well as rescattering of electrons that gain additional kinetic energy during laser-driven collisions with ions and with the cluster potential. The results, which were obtained at the Imperial College London, promise efficient particle acceleration in clusters at mid-infrared and terahertz wavelengths.

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