The use of intense-field ionization in time-resolved measurements

We show that intense radiation introduces a length-scale in molecules which translates into a dramatic enhancement of the rate of multiple ionization of molecules at characteristic internuclear separations. This feature is common to a wide range of systems and is insensitive to variations in frequency and intensity. The electronic properties responsible for this effect are explored. We propose the use of the sensitivity of intense-field ionization to the molecular configuration as a probe in time-resolved studies of dissociative dynamics.