Internal laser-induced dipole force at work in C60 molecule.

We show how the many electron response of a complex molecule to an intense laser field can be incorporated with the single active electron picture. This enables us to introduce an "over-the-barrier" model for Cz+60 ionization, valid for long wavelength light. Using infrared radiation, we confirm the model and also produce stable, highly charged C60 reaching C12+60, the highest charge state ever observed. At high intensities and high charge states the internal laser-induced dipole force and rapid charging lead to stress on the molecule. The interplay between the forces provides control and suggest strategies for reaching even higher charge states.