Abstract

We present the first quantitative results for the ionization of hydrogen at relatively high-frequencies, from low intensities to superintensities in excess of the atomic unit I₀ = 3.51 ö 10¹⁶ W/cm². We find that at superintensities the atom has the tendency to stabilize against multiphoton ionization, even at low frequencies. We signal, however, the existence of very short lifetimes for the ground state, at intensities just below those needed for stabilization. This fact will prevent the neutral atom from feeling the superintense peak values of the field even for the shortest existing laser pulses.

© 1990 Optical Society of America