Coherent control of multiphoton ionization of lithium atoms by a bichromatic laser field

We demonstrate a left-right asymmetry control of the photoelectron angular distribution in multiphoton ionization of Li atoms by a bichromatic laser field. By delaying the fundamental (780 nm) and its second harmonic relative to each other in steps of 130 attoseconds, we can vary the relative phase between the two laser fields with subwavelength accuracy and thereby steer the ejected electrons. Good agreement is found between the measurements and calculations at the appropriate intensities of the two harmonics.