Ionization of atoms by the spatial gradient of the pondermotive potential in a focused laser beam.

Ionization of atoms by the spatial gradient of the pondermotive potential in a focused laser beam is investigated. Rydberg ions, formed during the interaction of noble gas atoms with an intense laser pulse, are used to probe the gradient field. Rydberg ion species with higher ionization potentials are produced at locations where the gradient field is largest. The measured Rydberg ion yields differ dramatically from estimates that ignore gradient-field ionization, but are in good agreement with predictions that include the effect.