A theoretical discussion of strong laser field effects: intense short pulses interacting with atoms and molecules

Abstract

A non-perturbative scheme for the interaction of strong laser pulses with atoms and molecules is discussed and model calculations are presented. A semiclassical analysis leads to a clear-cut distinction of four categories of reactions. Separatrix crossing mechanisms, the dissolution of initial tori and classical adiabatic motion are seen to play a central role in a non-perturbative picture of interactions with strong laser fields.