title: Bistability in multiphoton ionization with recombination.
abstract: The steady-state degree of ionization produced by multiphoton processes under bistable conditions is investigated. We show that the presence of recombination leads to a bistable steady state, with the degree of ionization abruptly increasing as the incident laser intensity I(i) is increased beyond a certain critical value I(i1) and abruptly decreasing as the intensity is decreased below a second critical value I(i2)<I(i1). Effects of dispersion on the bistability characteristics of the steady state are considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Berea College, Berea, Kentucky 40404, USA.
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Armstrong