Multiphoton double ionization of barium

The multiphoton double ionization of Ba from ~280 to 700 nm was investigated using laser pulses 5 ns long of peak intensity ~10¹⁰ W/cm². The spectrum consists of a number of strong resonances, which can be assigned to Ba⁺ transitions. Most of the assignments have been verified by pump-probe techniques. Thus, the Ba⁺⁺ observed is due to sequential ionization. The multiphoton ionization probability is highest for λ~500 nm, which matches a series of strong Ba and Ba⁺ transitions leading to double ionization