Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Physical Review Letters

Effect of Light Polarization on Multiphoton Ionization of Atoms

P. Lambropoulos

Published Mar 6, 1972• 84 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We present a theoretical interpretation of an effect recently observed in two- and three-photon ionization of Cs. We show that the total cross sections for two- and three-photon ionization of a one-electron atom depend on the polarization of the incident light. Expressions are derived for the ratio of the cross section for circularly polarized light to that for linearly polarized, and their maximum values are obtained.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.28.585

Related papers

Multiphoton Ionization of One-Electron Atoms with Circularly Polarized Light

P. Lambropoulos

We present simple expressions for the differential as well as the total cross sections for multiphoton ionization (of any order) of a one-electron atom with circularly polarized light. We discuss their usefulness in the interpretation of multiphoton ionization experiments.

Physical Review Letters•Aug 21, 1972•57 citations

Polarization phenomena in multiphoton ionization of atoms

V. L. Jacobs

The theory of multiphoton ionization for an atomic system of arbitrary complexity is developed using a density matrix formalism. An expression is obtained which determines the differential N-photon ionization cross section as a function of the polarization states of the target atom and the incident radiation. The parameters which characterize the photo-electron angular distribution are related to the general reduced matrix elements for the N-photon transition. Two-photon ionization of unpolarized atoms is treated as an illustration of the use of the theory. The dependence of the multiphoton ionization cross section on the polarization state of the incident radiation, which has been observed in two- and three-photon ionization of Cs, is accounted for by the theory. Finally, the photoelectron spin polarization produced by the multiphoton ionization of unpolarized atoms, like the analogous polarization resulting from single-photon ionization, is found to depend on the circular polarization of the incident radiation.

Journal of Physics B Atomic and Molecular Physics•Aug 1, 1973•28 citations

Polarization effect in multiphoton ionization of hydrogen from metastable 2S state

Bhaskar J. Choudhury

A general analytical result has been obtained for multiphoton ionization of hydrogen from metastable 2S state. Numerical results are given for the ratio of cross sections of ionization by linearly polarized and circularly polarized light for N=2,3,4 (where N is the number of photons absorbed). In all these cases the cross section for linearly polarized light dominates over the cross section for circularly polarized light.

Journal of Physics B Atomic and Molecular Physics•Nov 1, 1973•2 citations

Multiphoton Ionization Induced by Circularly Polarized Radiation

Yves Gontier, M. Trahin

The ratio ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{N}$ of the cross section for circularly polarized light to that for linearly polarized is numerically investigated for $N$-photon ionization of atomic hydrogen. For $N<4$, it appears that the gain factor is greater than unity. For $N\ensuremath{\ge}4$, the ratio ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{N}$ is generally smaller than unity and decreases when the multiphoton order $N$ increases.

Physical Review A•Jun 1, 1973•48 citations

Theory of two-photon ionization of cesium

Michael Reed Teague, P. Lambropoulos, D. Goodmanson +1 more

We present a systematic theoretical analysis of two-photon ionization of cesium in the perturbation-theory regime. Matrix elements from diverse sources, such as quantum-defect theory and model potentials, as well as from experimental oscillator strengths, have been used in the calculation. The results are discussed in the context of recent measurements. In addition to total generalized cross sections (gcs) for linearly polarized light, ratios of gcs for linear to circular polarization, as well as photoelectron spin polarization, have been calculated. The various sets of matrix elements give results which are consistent, given variations that should be expected from the diversity of the sources. The disagreement with experiment, however, persists.

Physical Review A•Sep 1, 1976•50 citations

Polarization Effects in High-Order Multiphoton Ionization

Howard R. Reiss

Linear polarization is shown to dominate circular polarization cross sections strongly for high-order multiphoton ionization of atoms.Received 12 September 1972DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.29.1129©1972 American Physical Society

Physical Review Letters•Oct 23, 1972•70 citations
We present a theoretical interpretation of an effect recently observed in two- and three-photon ionization of Cs. We show that the total cross sections for two- and three-photon ionization of a one-electron atom depend on the polarization of the incident light. Expressions are derived for the ratio of the cross section for circularly polarized light to that for linearly polarized, and their maximum values are obtained.
The theory of multiphoton ionization for an atomic system of arbitrary complexity is developed using a density matrix formalism. An expression is obtained which determines the differential N-photon ionization cross section as a function of the polarization states of the target atom and the incident radiation. The parameters which characterize the photo-electron angular distribution are related to the general reduced matrix elements for the N-photon transition. Two-photon ionization of unpolarized atoms is treated as an illustration of the use of the theory. The dependence of the multiphoton ionization cross section on the polarization state of the incident radiation, which has been observed in two- and three-photon ionization of Cs, is accounted for by the theory. Finally, the photoelectron spin polarization produced by the multiphoton ionization of unpolarized atoms, like the analogous polarization resulting from single-photon ionization, is found to depend on the circular polarization of the incident radiation.
The ratio ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{N}$ of the cross section for circularly polarized light to that for linearly polarized is numerically investigated for NNN-photon ionization of atomic hydrogen. For N<4N<4N<4, it appears that the gain factor is greater than unity. For $N\ensuremath{\ge}4$, the ratio ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{N}$ is generally smaller than unity and decreases when the multiphoton order NNN increases.
We present a systematic theoretical analysis of two-photon ionization of cesium in the perturbation-theory regime. Matrix elements from diverse sources, such as quantum-defect theory and model potentials, as well as from experimental oscillator strengths, have been used in the calculation. The results are discussed in the context of recent measurements. In addition to total generalized cross sections (gcs) for linearly polarized light, ratios of gcs for linear to circular polarization, as well as photoelectron spin polarization, have been calculated. The various sets of matrix elements give results which are consistent, given variations that should be expected from the diversity of the sources. The disagreement with experiment, however, persists.