Detailed experiments on the energy and angular
distributions of both electrons and protons formed from
molecular hydrogen in strong femtosecond laser fields are
reported. At the wavelengths 389 and 406 nm the ionization
dynamics is governed by resonance shifting of molecular
Rydberg states. Differences from this mechanism appear
only at the very lowest intensities, when close lying resonances
of the E, F-state determine the photoelectron
pattern in resonant enhanced ionization, and at very high
intensities, when tunnel ionization suppresses molecular
details. At wavelengths below 400 nm at intensities in the
range of ≈1·1013 W/cm2
femtosecond pulses are quite suitable for preparation of
state selected H2+ targets in a
restricted range of vibrational levels.