Calculation of harmonic radiation and nuclear coupling arising from atoms in strong laser fields

A numerical, time-dependent quantum mechanical model is used to describe the interaction of an isolated ion with an intense applied laser field, including both electron and nuclear degrees of freedom. Calculated results are presented. The authors find that the model ion radiates in low odd harmonics of the laser frequency, in qualitative agreement with experimental observations. In addition, it radiates strongly in the x-ray region, at frequencies comparable with the electron Rydberg frequency. Such radiation should be possible to observe in future experiments. If it exists, it could provide a basis for a reasonably coherent x-ray source. The authors find that the probability of induced nuclear excitation is small for higher electric multipoles, although observable probabilities are obtained under appropriate circumstances for L=1