Theory of Time-Resolved Photoelectric Detection of Light

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Abstract
The problem of the interaction of radiation with a bound charge is investigated in some detail by perturbation theory. In particular, the time dependence of the probability of photoelectric emission is investigated on a time scale on which the oscillations of the optical field are resolved. It is found that the emitted photoelectron is periodically reabsorbed, in such a way that the reabsorption is complete below the photoelectric threshold, but is incomplete over a certain frequency range above threshold. There is only one optical frequency for which no reabsorption at all takes place. The photoemission leads the square of the optical field in phase at threshold and lags in phase well above threshold. It is found that even a photodetector consisting of a single electron bound in a potential well has a limited spectral response, with a frequency range which is a few times the threshold frequency.