STABILIZATION OF ATOMIC-HYDROGEN IN SUPERINTENSE, HIGH-FREQUENCY LASER FIELDS OF CIRCULAR-POLARIZATION

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=3.51×1016 W/cm2. We find that at superintensities the atom has a tendency to stabilize against multiphoton ionization, even at low frequencies. We show, however, the existence of very short lifetimes for the ground state, at intensities just below those needed for stabilization. © 1990 The American Physical Society.