Strong dependence of multiphoton detachment rates on the asymptotic behaviour of the ground-state wave function

Abstract

Two-photon detachment from the F-minus negative ion is investigated within the lowest order of perturbation theory. We show that in accordance with the adiabatic theory a proper asymptotic behaviour of the 2p bound state wave function is crucial for obtaining correct absolute values of the multiphoton detachment cross sections. We find that the latter are substantially higher than it was previously believed.