Effects of dc electric fields on multiphoton ionization spectra in cesium

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6446991

Klots, C E; Compton, R N

The three-photon (one frequency) ionization of cesium atoms is greatly enhanced when the second photon is resonant with a Rydberg nd level. Enhancement by the ns levels is comparatively small. Three-photon ionization is also observed when the first photon excites a quadrupole transition to 5d. This occurs when either (a) the first photon is resonant with one of the 5d spin-orbit states, or (b) when the second photon is resonant with the 7f state. A dc electric field introduces a number of new features: (a) high Rydberg states can be field-ionized, (b) the photoionization cross sections of the ns levels are greatly enhanced, (c) two-photon access to the np and nf series is induced, and (d) two-photon access to 7g (via a virtual quadrupole transition to 5d) is observed. These effects have been quantified, the role of laser polarization documented, and a useful scaling law (as a function of the effective principle quantum number) has been demonstrated. 8 references, 6 figures.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 6446991
• Report Number(s): CONF-8409129-2; ON: DE85001542
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640302* -- Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics-- Atomic & Molecular Properties & Theory
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ALKALI METALS
CESIUM
CORRECTIONS
DATA
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INFORMATION
IONIZATION
LASER RADIATION
METALS
MULTI-PHOTON PROCESSES
NUMERICAL DATA
PHOTOIONIZATION
RADIATIONS
RYDBERG CORRECTION