Spectroscopy of laser-induced autoionizing nonlinear resonances in atomic systems

Abstract

Efficient harmonic generation at laser-induced autoionizing state in continuum, were observed for the first time by our laboratory [1,2,3]. In this paper, nonlinear frequency mixing in alkali metal vapors at induced continuum structure in Na, are studied in detail. Besides, measurement of nonlinear optical susceptibility at induced autoionizing resonance, is performed. Tunable ultraviolet radiations by four-photon processes near induced resonances are obtained. Estimations of the real and imaginary parts of the nonlinearities, are estimated. We will specially note, that the resonant photoabsorption of ions is experimentally investigated since it gives information about the autoionizing states, which is impossible to obtain on the base only of the emission spectra. We use also laser inducing for obtaining of powerful radiation source in VUV. Thus, many actual problems as the selective impact on matter, laser photochemistry and laser isotope separation are connected directly with the induced autoionizing nonlinear resonances. The main interest is to control the spectral characteristics of continuum. The discrete level from the continuum structure leads to appearance of asymmetrical autoionizing resonance onto the background of the broad-band absorption line.