Near-threshold electron-impact ionization of calcium atoms

The electron-impact ionization of calcium atoms is studied in the near-threshold energy range (from 6.11 to 16 eV). Experiments were performed by the method of intersecting electron and atomic beams with the recording of formed positive calcium ions. The electron beam (ΔE _1/2 = 0.15 eV) was formed using a hypocycloidal electron monochromator. An analysis of the specific features of ionization cross sections revealed a contribution from the excitation and decay of low-lying autoionization atomic states, which converge to the excitation thresholds of the 3d, 4p, and 5s ionic levels, and resonances (long-lived states of negative ions). The specific features of cross sections are identified using the experimental and theoretical data on photoionization (photoabsorption).     

Scaling laws for the photoionization cross section of two-electron atoms

The cross sections for single-electron photoionization in two-electron atoms show fluctuations which decrease in amplitude when approaching the double-ionization threshold. Based on semiclassical closed orbit theory, we show that the algebraic decay of the fluctuations can be characterized in terms of a threshold law sigma proportional to |E|(mu) as E --> 0(-) with exponent mu obtained as a combination of stability exponents of the triple-collision singularity. It differs from Wannier's exponent dominating double-ionization processes. The details of the fluctuations are linked to a set of infinitely unstable classical orbits starting and ending in the nonregularizable triple collision. The findings are compared with quantum calculations for a model system, namely, collinear helium.     

Predicting intense-field photoionization of atoms and molecules from their linear photoabsorption spectra in the ionization continuum

We report a new approach to intense-field photoionization that is based on the ad hoc assumption that m photons of energy arriving within a typical electronic response time are effectively equivalent to a single photon of energy . The heuristic model contains no adjustable parameters and unifies apparent multiphoton and field aspects. Moreover, nonsequential, suppressed and above-threshold ionization phenomena become readily understandable. Predicted ionization intensities are in satisfactory agreement with available experimental data ranging from C₆H₆ to Ne^{3 +} , from femtosecond to nanosecond laser pulses, and from ultraviolet to infrared laser radiation.Received: 20 January 2004, Published online: 17 August 2004PACS: 32.80.Rm Multiphoton ionization and excitation to highly excited states (e.g., Rydberg states) - 32.80.Wr Other multiphoton processes - 42.50.Hz Strong-field excitation of optical transitions in quantum systems; multiphoton processes; dynamic Stark shift     

Binary encounter approximation for the electron-impact double ionization cross section of atoms and ions

An binary encounter approximation is formulated for the direct (without any excitation of autoionization levels) double ionization of atoms and ions by electron impacts. Analytical expressions are derived for the cross section, which qualitatively represent the main dependences on the incident electron energy and atomic parameters.     

Multiple photoionization of atoms and small molecules by synchrotron radiation

Absorption of one VUV photon by an atom or a molecule can induce the ejection of several electrons through different processes. Such multiple ionization processes, studied by coincidence electron spectroscopy, provide a wealth of information on electron correlations. A magnetic bottle electron time of flight spectrometer implemented on synchrotron radiation centers has allowed the efficient detection in coincidence of two, three and up to five electrons with good energy resolution. The branching ratios of the different processes are easily extracted from the experimental spectra due to the constant transmission of the spectrometer. Multiple Auger decay was observed in rare gases atoms after inner-shell ionization, while core-valence and core-core initial double ionization followed by Auger decay are other pathways to multiple ionization. For molecules, Coulomb explosion with energy released in ionic fragments may occur after multiple ionization, nevertheless, coincidence electron spectroscopy can also provide a clear interpretation for peculiar decay channels in molecules.     

Method for calculating multiphoton above-threshold processes in atoms: Two-photon above-threshold ionization

The two-photon above-threshold ionization of atoms is calculated using numerical algorithms of the Padé approximation in the model-potential method with the Coulomb asymptotics. The total and differential cross sections of the above-threshold ionization of helium and alkali metal atoms by elliptically polarized radiation are presented. The dependence of the angular distribution of photoelectrons on the sign of the ellipticity of radiation (the elliptic dichroism phenomenon) is analyzed in the above-threshold frequency range.     

Observation of inner electron ionization from radial rydberg wave packets in two-electron atoms

We have observed multiphoton ionization of the 5s core electron from a 5snd radial Rydberg wave packet of Sr atoms using a short optical pulse. When the outer nd electron is at its outer turning point the inner 5s electron is removed from the atom, and the outer electron is left in a Sr+ Rydberg state, but when the outer electron is at the inner turning point this does not occur. Analysis of the final Sr+ Rydberg states shows that the two electrons interact as the inner electron leaves, so that the outer electron is not simply projected onto the Sr+ Rydberg states.     

Near-threshold electron-impact ionization of magnesium

The effective electron-impact ionization cross section of the magnesium atom is studied in detail in the energy range from the ionization threshold to 16 eV. A large number of particular features caused both by atomic autoionization states and by the formation and decay of a short-lived state of the negative ion of the magnesium atom are revealed. These particular features are identified using experimental and theoretical data on the photoionization (photoabsorption) and on the spectra of ejected electrons.     

Ratiometric comparison of intense field ionization of atoms and diatomic molecules

Intense-laser ionization rates for rare gas atoms and diatomic molecules have been precisely compared by making simultaneous measurements of ionization yield vs laser intensity for mixed atomic and molecular targets. At a given laser intensity, the N (2) and F (2) ionization yields are slightly greater than that of Ar. Conversely, comparison of O (2) and S (2) with Xe indicates significant ionization suppression in these molecules. Recent molecular ionization models that successfully describe ionization suppression in O (2) and its absence in N (2) fail to explain our observations in F (2) and S (2).