Instantaneous multiphoton ionization rate and initial distribution of electron momentum

The Yudin-Ivanov formula [Phys. Rev. A 64, 013409 (2001)] is generalized such that the most general analytical expression for single-electron spectra, which includes the dependence on the instantaneous laser phase, is obtained within the strong field approximation. No assumptions on the momentum of the electron are made. Previously known formulas for single-electron spectra can be obtained as approximations to the general formula.