STRONG-FIELD IONIZATION IN CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM DYNAMICS

Classical and quantum results for the strong-electromagnetic-field ionization of the ground state of a generic model are compared. Quantum results are also presented for the strong-field ionization of the hydrogen atom. These results demonstrate that ionization depends strongly on the phase of the field in such a way that the interaction potential acts as a barrier or well at large distances from the binding region, producing effectively a closed or open gate to the region of space outside the atom. The open gate is analogous to a strong, static electric field applied to an atom such that the atom ionizes classically. Quantum and classical ensemble results for the ionization probability are found to show close qualitative agreement. Other comparisons are made for classical versus quantum wave-packet trajectories. © 1990 The American Physical Society.