Intense field ionization of diatomic molecules: Two-center interference and tunneling

We investigate the ionization of model diatomic molecules exposed in intense laser fields both numerically and analytically. Our simulations show that, in the tunneling region, the interplay of the tunneling effect and molecular two-center structure has an important role in ionization. It can lead to the enhancement of ionization in molecules as compared to their reference atoms with similar ionization potential. Furthermore, it also plays a dominating role in the angle dependence of molecular ionization. This effect is different from that of two-center interference in ionization. The latter manifests itself remarkably in the multiphoton region and can cause the ionization suppression of molecules in this region. Our further comparisons suggest the significant influence of the orbital symmetry of the reference atom on molecular ionization comparison experiments. ©2010 The American Physical Society