In this article, we use Monte Carlo methods to study the interaction of high power laser pulses with electrons in the conduction band of semiconductors. The laser field is represented by a sinusoidal electric field which tends to cause an oscillatory motion in the electrons. The scattering of electrons from the lattice force the electrons to lose phase coherence with the field. The approach is applied to silicon. We use the approach to examine the carrier energy distribution and material breakdown due to the transfer of energy from the laser to the electrons followed by impact ionization. The impact ionization coefficient, &agr;, and its dependence on the laser frequency and field strength is examined and compared to the values in a dc field. In general, the ac value is smaller than the dc value, but at low frequencies and high field strengths, the ac impact ionization coefficient approaches the dc value at the same rms field value. The importance of collisions in the energy transfer process is elucidated. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.