Weak-Field Asymptotic Theory of Tunneling Ionization of Atoms and Molecules in an Uniform Static Electric Field

Abstract

We present the weak field asymptotic theory of tunneling ionization of atoms and molecules in an external static uniform electric field. The theory for the leading order term in the asymptotic expansion within the single active electron and the frozen nuclei approximations is outlined. The extensions of the theory to higher order terms, many-electron systems, and nuclear motions are presented.