Single and multiple ionization of N-2 molecules by intense light fields offemtosecond duration

We report studies on the multiple ionization of the N-2 molecule using inte nse, femtosecond laser pulses. We present details of the experimental chara cterisation of the light pulses and analysis and detection of the ions prod uced. Precautions to be taken in intense field ionization experiments are d iscussed. We illustrate the retrieval of information about different aspect s of the ionization process (such as, kinetic energies of the fragments pro duced, dissociation bond lengths and information on the precursors to fragm entation) using coincidence techniques. We report results of the first meas urements of the angular distribution of a highly charged fragment, N3+.