Density-functional study of multielectron ionization of sodium clusters by strong femtosecond laser pulses Original Research Article

Electronic excitations in small sodium clusters irradiated by strong laser pulses are studied within the time-dependent density-functional formalism and jellium model. Resonant and over-the-barrier mechanisms of ionization are considered. The dependence of the electronic response on cluster size, photon energy, intensity and time duration of light pulses is discussed.