Two-Electron Effects in the Multiphoton Ionization of Magnesium with 400 nm 150 fs Pulses

The multiphoton ionization and photoelectron spectra of magnesium were studied at laser intensities of up to 6x10^{13} Wcm^{-2} using 150 fs laser pulses of a wavelength of 400 nm. The results indicated that a variety of different ionization mechanisms played a role in both types of spectra. A theoretical model describing the processes is presented and the routes to ionization are identified. The work demonstrates the significance of the two-electron nature of the atom in interpreting the experimental results.