On the field ionisation of diatomic molecules by intense laser fields

The process of multiple ionisation using intense lasers is discussed in terms of a simple field ionisation model. The model provides predictions of laser intensities (or laser E fields) required to produce sequential ionisation in atomic Xe that are in broad agreement with experiment. In the case of diatomic molecules, mechanisms are introduced which enhance the ionisation probability. Measurement of the energies of the fragment ions resulting from the subsequent Coulomb explosion provides a basis for a detailed description of the dynamics of multielectron dissociative ionisation.