Excitation and ionization of Rydberg atoms by short half-cycle pulses

Abstract

Simple semiclassical formulas are derived for the probability of excitation and ionization of Rydberg atoms irradiated by a half-cycle pulse whose duration is shorter than the Kepler period. The calculated ionization probabilities are in good agreement with the experimental data of Jones, You, and Bucksbaum [Phys. Rev. Lett. 70, 1236 (1993)] and with previous calculations.