We analyze the angular momentum distribution of electrons near threshold in atomic ionization by short laser pulses. The radial fanlike pattern in the two-dimensional momentum distribution observed in experiments is controlled by the dominance of a few angular momenta of the order $l_0$. We find a semiclassical expression for $l_0$ strongly dependent on the quiver amplitude of the detached electron but independent of the atomic species. The value of $l_0$ can be also related to the minimum number of absorbed photons needed to reach the threshold. The strongly peaked sub-Poissonian angular distribution precludes a description by a stochastic random walk model in angular momentum.

• Received 7 April 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.78.013406