Multiphoton ionization of atoms

The most important results of study of multiphoton ionization of atoms are reviewed. Discussions are presented of specific features of the process, theoretical methods of description of ionization of atoms in a strong light field, the basic principles of design of experiments in which intense laser radiation is used, results of investigation of direct and resonance processes of multiphoton ionization, and the mutual relation between multiphoton processes (multiphoton excitation and ionization) and various phenomena leading to perturbation of the spectrum of bound states of an electron in an atom under the influence of a strong light field.