METASTABLE TRIPLY CHARGED DIATOMIC-MOLECULES PRODUCED WITH FEMTOSECOND PULSES

We show that ultrashort pulse strong field multiphoton ionization effi ciently produces metastable highly charged molecules such as metastabl e diatomic trications I-2(3+), Br-2(3+), and Cl-2(3+). The efficiency of stable trication production decreases rapidly with increasing pulse duration. Weak pre- or post-pulse irradiation also prevents efficient production or survival of trications, We propose strong-field femtose cond Raman spectroscopy to determine trication vibrational frequencies .