Clusters under strong vuv pulses: A quantum-classical hybrid description incorporating plasma effects

The quantum-classical hybrid description of rare-gas clusters interacting with intense light pulses which we have developed is described in detail. Much emphasis is put on the treatment of screening electrons in the cluster which set the time scale for the evolution of the system and form the link between electrons strongly bound to ions and quasifree plasma electrons in the cluster. As an example, we discuss the dynamics of an Ar-147 cluster exposed to a short vuv laser pulse of 20 eV photon energy.