Laser-induced resonant multiphoton and collisional ionizations of rubidium atoms
Abstract
Rubidium vapor (10<SUP>11</SUP> - 10<SUP>14</SUP> cm<SUP>-3</SUP>) was irradiated by a dye-laser beam (10 kW(DOT)cm<SUP>-2</SUP> - 2 MW(DOT)cm<SUP>-2</SUP>, pulse duration approximately 30 nsec, linewidth <EQ 0.25 cm<SUP>-1</SUP>), which was tuned to the D<SUB>1,2</SUB>-resonance lines. The mutual competition of the two photon ionization, associative ionization and Penning ionization of the laser excited rubidium atoms was investigated. The data of laser intensities and a rubidium vapor concentrations, which results in domination of the each ionization channels were founded. On the basis of the received experimental results, the cross-section values for the multiphoton and collisional ionization channels of laser-excited atoms were determined.