Multielectron Dissociative Ionization of Molecules by Intense Laser Radiation

We solve the hydrodynamic-ballistic equations of motion for a one-dimensional time-dependent Thomas-Fermi model of ${\mathrm{Cl}}_2$ exposed to an intense subpicosecond laser field, and observe simultaneous multielectron ionization and molecular dissociation. The fragment kinetic energy defect with respect to the simple Coulomb explosion picture is found to originate in ejected-electron screening of the escaping fragments; its magnitude agrees with that observed in recent experiments.