Shortt, B.J and van der Burgt, Peter J.M. and Giammanco, F. and Slevin, James A. and Lanigan, W. (2002) Wavelength dependent collective effects in the multiphoton ionization of atomic deuterium. Physical Review E, 66 (4). 046411.1-046411.10. ISSN 1539-3755

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Abstract

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation into collective effects in the transient plasma formed by multiphoton ionization of atomic deuterium with a pulsed laser. The laser wavelength is varied in a narrow range around 243 nm, so that the photoionization is resonant with the metastable 2S1/2 state. The ion yield, the ion time-of-flight spectra, and the yield of Lyman-a photons have been measured as a function of laser intensity ~from 1 to 340 MW/cm2! and laser detuning around the 1S1/2-2S1/2 two-photon resonance. During and shortly after the laser pulse, collective effects resulting from the mutual interaction of the photoelectrons and the ions affect the spatial and temporal distribution of the ions. Because of the near-degeneracy of the 2S1/2, 2P1/2 , and 2P3/2 states, the resonant multiphoton ionization is affected by the Stark mixing of these states in the collective field. As a result, the time-dependent yields of ions and of Lyman-a photons are modulated by the interplay of the multiphoton ionization of the atoms and the collective effects in the plasma. From the measurements it is deduced that collective effects are important above a critical charge density of 33108 ions/cm3. An asymmetry is observed in the line profile of the total ion yield as a function of laser detuning. This asymmetry is interpreted to be due to the effect of the collective field upon the intermediate resonant 2S1/2 state of the photoionization process.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Wavelength-dependent; collective effects; multiphoton ionization; atomic deuterium;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > Experimental Physics
Item ID:	2085
Depositing User:	Dr Peter van der Burgt
Date Deposited:	17 Aug 2010 15:34
Journal or Publication Title:	Physical Review E
Publisher:	American Physical Society
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://pre.aps.org/
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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