Physical Review A
Fluorescence studies of multiple-photon ionization processes: Four- and five-photon ionization of Sr at wavelengths of 558–590 nm
Harold K. Haugen, Andreas Othonos
Abstract
An ``all-optical'' technique is presented for the study of multiphoton-ionization processes, based on fluorescence detection of the ions which are produced. A vapor is utilized in a moderate-density regime (\ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{11}$--${10}^{15}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$) such that collisional effects are negligible. The technique is applied to multiple-photon ionization of Sr in the wavelength range of 558--590 nm at laser intensities \ensuremath{\sim}1--50 GW/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. Fine-structure-resolved emission of the ${\mathrm{Sr}}^{+}$ (5${p}^{2}$${P}_{3/2/,1/d}^{0}$) ions which are formed is observed at \ensuremath{\lambda}=407.8 and 421.5 nm, following either four- or five-photon absorption. No emission is observed from higher ionic states, with a detection sensitivity \ensuremath{\sim}${1:10}^{3}$ with respect to the ionic-resonance emission.