Abstract

The study of photoionization processes in excited atoms requires the use of two different photon sources: the one to prepare the atoms in specific initial states and the other one to photoionize these excited states. With the advent of high-power frequency-tunable lasers, it has been possible to prepare a sizable stationary fraction of valence excited atoms and to laser-ionize these laser excited states. However, available laser energies and tunability ranges have restricted these experiments to outer electrons of alkali- and alkaline-earth atoms.¹ In some atoms placed into excited states by means of a pulsed laser, inner-shell photoabsorption has been studied by using ultraviolet continuum radiation from a BRV source.²

© 1984 Optical Society of America