Multiphoton ionization of hydrogen by a strong multimode field

Abstract

Multiphoton ionization of hydrogen atoms by a strong multimode field when several final continuum states are populated is treated theoretically within a model based on the S-matrix formalism. The field is taken in dipole approximation, with zero bandwidth. Field-dressed Coulomb wave functions are used for the electron final states. Ionization rates are calculated for different numbers of photons absorbed in excess of the minimum number required to go into the continuum. In general, the calculated quantities are in good qualitative agreement with the corresponding experimental observations.