Two-photon Ionization of the Hydrogen Atom

Serge Klarsfeld

C.V. Khristenko, S. I. Vetchinkin

Erna Karule, J.G.A. Hoelscher, D.C. Schram

Stanislav D. Tvorogov, Ljudmila I. Nesmelova

Magda Fifirig, Aurelia Cionga, Viorica Florescu

Based on analytical equations valid in perturbation theory, we study the process of ionization of the ground state of the hydrogen atom by the absorption of three photons, two of them being of the same frequency. Results are given for the total ionization rate and for the angular distribution of the ejected electrons, in a regime of frequencies in which two-colour two-photon ionization is not possible. The case of orthogonal photon polarizations, investigated in some detail, displays a strong dependence on the electron direction.

Ali Kassaee, M. L. Rustgi, S. A. T. Long

The theory of two-photon ionization of a hydrogenic state in the nonrelativistic dipole approximation is generalized for elliptically polarized light. An application to the metastable 2S state of atomic hydrogen is made. Significant differences in the angular distribution of the outgoing electrons are found depending upon the polarization of the photons. It is claimed that two-photon ionization employing elliptically polarized photons from lasers may provide an additional test for the theories of multiphoton ionization.