Investigation of highly excited states of calcium by three-photon ionization

The three-photon ionization in Ca from S₀ ground state is studied. The two-photon process is a near -- resonance process with one of the following bound states: 4s4d ¹D₂, 4p P₂, 4s6s ¹S₀, 4 D₂ and 4 S₀ while the third photon reach either directly the continuum or one of the autoionizing states. The succession of bound states as well as the transitions above the ionization limit are discussed. The dynamics of the multiphoton excitation processes is also discussed and radiative decay of 4 S₀ Ca state with two-photon excitation as well as (the measured) decay times of the Ca autoionizing states using the proper line profiles for different quantum numbers has been determined.Received: 29 September 2003, Published online: 18 May 2004PACS: 32.70.-n Intensities and shapes of atomic spectral lines - 32.70.Cs Oscillator strengths, lifetimes, transition moments - 32.80.Fb Photoionization of atoms and ions - 32.80.Rm Multiphoton ionization and excitation to highly excited states (e.g., Rydberg states)