Theory and Application of Strong Field ionization in Atomic Systems

Abstract: 

We explore ionization processes ranging from the single photon x-ray and ultraviolet limit to the opposite adiabatic infrared limit where large numbers of photons are required for ionization. The breakdown of perturbation theory and key aspects of the non-perturbative theory will be discussed. 

As an application we bridge the short wavelength limit of single photon perturbative ionization to the long wavelength limit of non-perturbative multiphoton ionization to demonstrate an optimal wavelength regime for the generation of spin-polarized electron pulses for probing chiral systems in rare gas atoms.