Corresponding aspects of strong-field multiquantum processes and ion-atom collisions

Corresponding aspects of multiphoton processes and ion-atom collisions are explored. With a simple model, a set of relationships is derived which relate the radiative power, frequency, and pulse width governing multiphoton coupling to the corresponding variables of ion charge, collisional velocity, and impact parameter involved in collisional reactions. Comparisons of spectral data in the extreme ultraviolet region for Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe produced by collisional excitation and subpicosecond ultraviolet laser irradiation indicate approximate conformance with the expectations stemming from this analysis. These results suggest that, for ultraviolet radiation, this approach may be useful in understanding the gross features of the strong-field multiquantum interaction over the range of intensity spanning from --10/sup 16/ W/cm/sup 2/ to --10/sup 21/ W/cm/sup 2/. Collisional data on transfer ionization occurring in ion-atom collisions are also used to estimate the conditions under which multiphoton processes should be appreciably influenced by multielectron motions