Lorentz ionization of atoms in a strong magnetic field

Lorentz ionization emerges due to the motion of atoms or ions in a strong m agnetic field. We use the semiclassical approximation to calculate the prob ability w(L) of Lorentz ionization. We also find the stabilization factor S , which takes into account the reduction by the magnetic field of the proba bility of ionization decay of the bound s state. We estimate the probabilit ies w(L) in magnetic-cumulation experiments and in astrophysics. We also qu alitatively examine the dynamics of the magnetic cumulation process with al lowance for the conductivity of the shell. Finally, we discuss a paradox re lated to the use of the quasistationary solution at the shell expansion sta ge.(C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S1063-7761(99)00905-1].