A new pathway to impact ionization in a photo-excited one-dimensional ionic Hubbard model

Using the time-dependent Lanczos method, we study the non-equilibrium dynamics of the half-filled one-dimensional ionic Hubbard model, deep within the Mott insulating regime, under the influence of a transient laser pulse. In equilibrium, increasing the staggered potential in the Mott regime reduces the Mott gap and broadens the Hubbard bands, creating favorable conditions for impact ionization. After laser excitation, impact ionization is observed, with its occurrence depending on both the staggered potential and the laser pump frequency. By analyzing the time evolution of the kinetic, ionic, and Coulomb interaction energies, we identify a novel mechanism for impact ionization, in which excess ionic potential energy is converted into additional double occupancy-distinct from the conventional mechanism where excess kinetic energy drives this process. We further show that impact ionization arises from interference between excited states driven by photon excitation of the same order. These results present a new pathway for realizing impact ionization in strongly correlated electron systems.