Strong Field Double Ionization of Formaldehyde Investigated Using Momentum Resolved Covariance Imaging and Trajectory Surface Hopping

We use covariance velocity map imaging of fragment ions from the strong field double ionization of formaldehyde in conjunction with trajectory surface hopping calculations to determine the ionization yields to different singlet and triplet states of the dication. The calculated kinetic energy release for trajectories initiated on different electronic states is compared with the experimental values based on momentum resolved covariance measurements. We determine the state resolved double ionization yields as a function of laser intensity and pulse duration down to 6 fs (two optical cycles).