ULTRASHORT-PULSE LASER IONIZATION OF IONS IN A PLASMA

Theoretical calculations are presented that show that optical field io nization of an ion in a plasma medium, induced by an intense ultrashor t laser pulse, is sensitive to the plasma screening of the binding pot ential of the target ionic electrons by surrounding plasma electrons. Hence experimental measurements of ionization rate versus plasma elect ron density would provide a direct test of theoretical plasma models f or hot, dense matter. [S1063-651X(98)12909-4].