SUPERSTRONG COHERENT MULTIELECTRON INTENSE-FIELD INTERACTION

A direct comparison of the ionic levels observed in multiphoton-induce d Xe(L) emission from Xe clusters with corresponding charge states exp erimentally produced with EBIT excitation confirms two new fundamental properties of the multiphoton interaction. They are (1) the dominant role of a coherent multi-electron mechanism in the excitation of the a toms in the duster and (2) the collaterally imperative presence of cha nnels of ionization involving multi-electron inner-shell ejection. Bot h characteristics arise because the coherent multi-electron motion ind uced by the external field simulates the behaviour of a light particle carrying a heavy charge, thereby transforming the fundamental couplin g strength for the interaction of electrons with matter from the custo mary factor alpha(similar to 1/137) to the strongly enhanced value Z(2 ) alpha. The estimated number (Z) of electrons participating in the co herent multi-electron amplitude for excitation of the Xe(L) radiation (2-3 Angstrom) is estimated to be Z similar or equal to 26. Since Z(2) > 10(2) can be practically attained for the majority of atoms, import ant general consequences follow for the production of new forms of hig hly energetic non-equilibrium states of matter.