Stabilization, the exotic process by which an atom in a superintense laser field, of the order of the atomic unit, reacts to the increase in intensity or decrease in frequency by increasing its lifetime, has been recognized as elusive for atomic ground states. We now show that the stabilization regime can be effectively attained at present laser performances (intensities, frequencies, pulse shapes) when starting with atoms prepared initially in Rydberg states of high magnetic quantum number with respect to the axis of linear polarization.

• Received 9 July 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.68.170