Double plateau in the energy distribution of electrons scattered by ion pairs in a strong laser field

The energy distribution of electrons scattered from single ions and from pairs of ions in a strong laser field is studied in the framework of the one-dimensional time-dependent Schrodinger equation. For single ions, the properties of the scattering plateau are discussed as a function of the impact velocity. For pairs of ions, the existence of a double plateau due to double collisions is demonstrated, and the dependence of its maximum energy on the ion distance is discussed. Potential applications to inverse bremsstrahlung absorption in plasmas and to ATI of diatomic molecules are indicated.