Relativistic ionization dynamics for a hydrogen atom exposed to superintense XUV laser pulses

Abstract

We present a theoretical study of the ionization dynamics of a hydrogen atom exposed to attosecond laser pulses in the extreme ultraviolet region at very high intensities. The pulses are such that the electron is expected to reach relativistic velocities, thus necessitating a fully relativistic treatment. We solve the time-dependent Dirac equation and compare its predictions with those of the corresponding nonrelativistic Schrödinger equation. We find that as the electron is expected to reach about 20% of the speed of light, relativistic corrections introduce a finite yet small decrease in the probability of ionizing the atom.