Abstract

A nonperturbative theory was recently developed to describe electron-atom scattering in high-frequency laser fields.¹ It applies at frequencies already available from excimer lasers in the VUV but extends beyond into the x-ray range. It was shown¹ that, for monochromatic radiation, in the high-frequency limit the time-dependent Schrodinger equation describing the scattering reduces to a time-independent Schrodinger equation containing a dressed potential V₀(α₀. r). where α₀ = I^1/2ω^-2 a.u. (I = intensity, ω = frequency). Consequently, in this limit only elastic scattering can occur (multiphoton free-free transitions are quenched).

© 1987 Optical Society of America