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Observation of enhanced ionization of molecular ions in intense laser fields

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters
; ;  [1]
  1. Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0R6 (CANADA)
Using ultrashort pulse multiphoton ionization, we launch a wave packet in the I{sup 2+}{sub 2} state that dissociates into the fragments I{sup 2+} and I. We measure its multiphoton ionization probability as a function of its internuclear distance with an intense delayed probe pulse. If the probe pulse is polarized parallel to the internuclear axis, we observe a peak in the ionization yield at a critical distance of 5{endash}6A. No such enhancement is seen with perpendicular polarization in agreement with the model of enhanced ionization by electron localization. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
OSTI ID:
285738
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 22 Vol. 76; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English