Three photon resonant ionization in atomic potassium via S, P, D and F series Rydberg states

Abstract

Single colour three photon resonant ionization (2 + 1) is observed in atomic potassium vapour in a heat pipe oven using an excimer laser pumped dye laser. Using wavelengths between 570 nm and 603 nm various²S and²D Rydberg states are populated by two photon excitation. Third photon of the same wavelength ionizes the atoms. Rydberg states up ton ⋍ 50 are observed. Electric field as low as 1 V/cm causes extensive Stark mixing of the states. This results in progressively higher three photon ionization signals via the perturbed²P and²F Rydberg states. The three photon ionization process is studied using both linearly and circularly polarized incident light. The experiment shows qualitatively that the²P Rydberg states are perturbed primarily by the²D states in the prescence of an external electric field and to a much smaller extent by²S states. This is also explained theoretically by calculating the Stark mixing coefficients under the Bates and Daamgard (1949) approximation. Implication for a similar effect in other alkali elements is discussed.