Dynamical Stabilization of a Model Atomic System by Short Intense Laser Pulses

The ionization properties of an atomic system under intense laser radiation ( with intensity of the order of one atomic unit) are reviewed and compared with their weaker field counterparts. The electric force experienced by an outer electron in such intense laser fields can be as strong in magnitude as the electron's Coulombic binding, and, consequently, perturbative approaches become very inefficient. We demonstrate the effects of ionization in such an interaction region through a one-dimensional model atom interacting with short laser pulses. Our studies are based on the exact numerical solution of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation. This review summarizes the characterization of the behavior of an atomic electron in the "stabilization" regime, for finite laser intensity and photon frequency. Our focus will be on the stabilization effects in atomic ground state.