We calculate the dissociation of ${\mathrm{H}}_2^{+}$ in intense short pulsed laser fields for a variety of wavelengths and a wide range of initial vibrational states (v=0–14). While the low-v levels achieve 100% dissociation in the leading edge of the pulse, for high v there is an onset of stabilization, and significant [(5–50)%] population remains in bound vibrational states throughout the entire pulse. The dissociation is incomplete, and a coherent distribution of excited vibrational states is formed. This survival effect can be attributed to the trapping of portions of the initial vibrational wave packet in transient laser-induced potential wells.

• Received 6 December 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.68.3869