Dichotomy of the hydrogen atom in superintense, high-frequency laser fields

We study the behavior of atomic hydrogen in a monochromatic radiation field of high frequency ω and high-intensity I, when its structure depends only on the parameter α₀=I^1/2ω^-2 a.u., and multiphoton ionization is quenched. At large α₀ the ground-state binding energy undergoes a drastic reduction. This is coupled to an unprecedented stretching of the (oscillating) electron wave function, culminating in its separation into two parts (dichotomy) for α₀>50 a.u.