Abstract

Recent multiphoton ionization experiments, performed at the University of Rochester, have shown that the tunneling ionization theories for complex atoms of Ammosov, et al. (M.V. Ammosov, et al., Sov. Phys. JEPT, 64 (1986) 1191) are valid in the regime where n^* > 2 and the Keldysh tunneling parameter, γ, is less than 1. n^* = Z (E_h/E_ion)^0.5 with E_h the ionization potential of hydrogen, and E_ion that of the charge state of interest. γ = (E_ion/2Φ_pond)^0.5 where Φ_pond is the pondermotive potential of the laser. In high intensity laser-plasma and laser-solid interactions, tunneling ionization due to the laser field may become a dominant ionization channel. This talk will discuss the laser and plasma characteristics required for multiphoton ionization to become the dominant ionization process and the effects this has on high intensity, laser-plasma and laser-solid interactions.

© 1989 Optical Society of America