Laser induced optical activity in the region of autoionizing states

Abstract

Optical activity of atomic medium in the region of laser coupled autoionizing states is studied theoretically. Analytical expressions and numerical results are obtained for the laser induced polarization rotation angle and the acquired ellipticity of the VUV radiation in the region of the He 2s2p1P autoionizing state (60.13 eV) coupled by circularly polarized laser field with the 2p2 1S or 2s3d 1D states. Arotation angle of order ∼ 10° can be realized for optically transparent helium media at laser intensities of 1010 − 1012 W/cm2. Controlling the optical activity in the VUV by manipulating the laser intensity and frequency is discussed.