Multiphoton-ionization transition amplitudes and the Keldysh approximation

The Keldysh approximation to treat the multiphoton ionization of atoms is reconsidered. It is shown that, if one consistently uses the hypothesis under which the approximation should be valid (essentially, that of a weak, short-range binding potential), a Keldysh-like term results as an approximation to the first term of a uniformly convergent series in powers of the binding potential. No cancellation occurs when higher-order terms are taken into account. This result allows one to consider the Keldysh approximation as a well-defined theoretical model, without implying, however, that it is adequate to describe multiphoton ionization of real atoms.