  We consider the final stage of triple ionization of atoms in a strong
linearly polarized laser field. We propose that for intensities below the
saturation value for triple ionization the process is dominated by the
simultaneous escape of three electrons from a highly excited intermediate
complex. We identify within a classical model two pathways to triple
ionization, one with a triangular configuration of electrons and one with a
more linear one. Both are saddles in phase space. A stability analysis
indicates that the triangular configuration has the larger cross sections and
should be the dominant one. Trajectory simulations within the dominant symmetry
subspace reproduce the experimentally observed distribution of ion momenta
parallel to the polarization axis.
