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We investigate a simply corrected Keldysh-Faisal-Reiss ͑KFR͒ rate formula for laser-induced ionization of atoms in the nonperturbative intensity domain. Predictions of the formula are compared, first, with ab initio Floquet calculations, which show good agreement in the nonperturbative intensity domain for not too short wavelengths. Second, they are found to agree with the results of numerical simulations for the H atom, provided the pulse lengths are not shorter than three field cycles, so that the adiabatic rate becomes a valid parameter. Finally, total single-ionization yields predicted by the present model are compared with 36 different experimental data sets for He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe, covering both linear and circular polarizations, and different wavelengths, pulse durations, and intensities; the results show a remarkable overall agreement with the data.

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We report on the compression of intense ultrashort laser pulses for the purpose of producing few-cycle optical pulses at the multimillijoule level by using a planar waveguide (PWG). The PWG is composed of two parallel glass slabs separated by a gap of 100 microm and mounted in a gas chamber filled with a noble gas. In comparison with the conventional hollow-fiber-based pulse compression technique, the use of a PWG enables the injection of high-energy ultrashort pulses, because the input laser beam is confined only in the lateral direction perpendicular to the waveguide plane. Using this technique, we demonstrate the generation of 12 fs, 2 mJ laser pulses in an argon-filled PWG.

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The propagation dynamics of intense femtosecond laser pulses in argon have been investigated theoretically and the results are compared with experimental data. It was found that in the initial stage the pulse propagates with the focal point moving ahead of the original one. The central beam of the trailing part experiences defocusing owing to ionization by the leading part and then regains self-focusing provided by power from the outer part. On propagating further, a quasistable balance is established between self-focusing and defocusing due to ionization-induced nonlinearity and diffraction, causing the beam to propagate in a self-guided mode. Furthermore, it was shown that the front of the split pulse decays faster, while the trailing edge experiences self-focusing and self-defocusing until a self-guided propagation mode is achieved. Multiple pulse splitting and shortening as a result of the dynamics near the focal point were also observed.

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