The scaling of an intense field nonlinear interaction

In this talk, we will discuss the physics of an alkali metal atom interacting with an intense mid-infrared (3-4 /spl mu/m) laser field. In a Keldysh picture this scaled interaction should show similar ionization dynamics to the more familiar situation of a near visible light interacting with inert gas atoms. However, the interpretation of the spectra is greatly simplified since the alkali metal atoms are "good" one-electron like systems. Both ionization and harmonic processes are currently under investigation. The results show many similarities with the more extensively studied inert gas atom spectrum but significant differences do exist.