  We theoretically demonstrate a one-to-one mapping between the direction of
electron ionization and the phase delay between a linearly polarized VUV and a
circular IR laser pulse. To achieve this, we use an ultrashort VUV pulse that
defines the moment in time and space when an above threshold electron is
released in the IR pulse. The electron can then be accelerated to high
velocities escaping in a direction completely determined by the phase delay
between the two pulses. The dipole matrix element to transition from an initial
bound state of the N$_2$ molecule, considered in this work, to the continuum is
obtained using quantum mechanical techniques that involve computing accurate
continuum molecular states. Following release of the electron in the IR pulse,
we evolve classical trajectories, neglecting the Coulomb potential and
accounting for quantum interference, to compute the distribution of the
direction and magnitude of the final electron momentum. The concept we
theoretically develop can be implemented to produce nanoscale ring currents
that generate large magnetic fields.
