The tunnel ionization of atoms, diatomic and triatomic molecules using intense 10.6 mu m radiation

Abstract

A broad collection of experimental tunnel ionization data obtained using intense 10.6 mu m CO₂ laser radiation, is presented. The variety of species studied includes three rare gas atoms (Xe, Kr and Ar), three homonuclear diatomic molecules (H₂, O₂ and N₂), two heteropolar diatomic gases (CO and NO) and one triatomic molecule (CO₂). The ionization behaviour going from the neutral particle to its associated singly charged ionic state, for all of the above species, is compared with a quasistatic tunnel ionization model. Good agreement between this theoretical model and the complete range of experimental results is found.