Model for studies of laser-induced nonlinear processes in molecules

Abstract

The dynamics of strong-field (\ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{14}$ W/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$) multiphoton processes in molecules can be investigated using a simple, collinear model for ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{+}$. We discuss properties of this model and report preliminary calculations related to recent experimental results. We find that the excitation and ionization dynamics of the molecular ion depend strongly on the laser wavelength, pulse shape, intensity, and particularly on the initial vibrational state of the molecule. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.