Above-threshold ionization processes in diatomic molecules driven by strong laser fields

Abstract

In this work we develop a general theory to study above-threshold ionization (ATI) in symmetric diatomic molecules. It is based on the Strong Field Approximation (SFA) and allows us to underpin different physical processes corresponding to (i) direct tunneling ionization; (ii) electron rescattering on the center of origin; and, finally, (iii) electron rescattering on a different center. Very good agreement is observed in comparison of the results obtained with the time-dependent Schrdinger equation (TDSE). Our model also captures the dependence of the ATI spectra on the internuclear distance making possible to retrieve molecular structural information.