Journal of Modern Optics
The Effect of Continuum-continuum Transitions on Laser-induced Continuum Structures
Michael E. St. J. Dutton, Bryan J. Dalton
Abstract
Laser-induced continuum structures (LICS) can be produced by a strong laser embedding a low-lying atomic state into a flat atomic continuum, which leads to a tunable asymmetric Fano resonance of adjustable width that can be probed by a second weak laser. In this paper the effects on LICS of transitions caused by the embedding laser between the original atomic continuum and a second atomic continuum are studied in the Markoff approximation by means of Laplace transform methods. Formal results correct to all orders are presented in terms of a T-matrix approach. Numerical calculations are presented which include continuum-continuum coupling correct to the lowest power of the embedding laser intensity. The time evolution of the pure LICS Fano profile is also shown.