ISSN:
1434-6079
Keywords:
34.90.+q
;
32.80.-t
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Abstract We report measurements of the excitation and ionization of dense lithium vapor irradiated byCW dye laser light scanning the 22 P−32 D lithium atomic transition at 610.3 nm. Lithium vapor with a density of 8×1016 cm−3 was ionized by a focused beam with as little as 1 mW of single-frequency laser power. The ionization mechanism has been studied and found to consist of a three stage process in which both atomic and molecular absorption of the laser power, two distinct collisional processes, and single-photon ionization of excited lithium atoms all play essential roles.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01426088