CONTROLLING IONIZATION PRODUCTS THROUGH LASER-INDUCED CONTINUUM STRUCTURE

We report on the observation of the modification of the two spin-orbit ionization continua of Xe through laser-induced continuum structure ( LICS). The radiative decay of the Xe ground state into the two electro nic continua that correspond to the two fine-structure levels of the g round state of the Xe+ ion can be varied by electromagnetically embedd ing a bound state of the atom into the two continua. The dressed P-2(1 /2) continuum, probed from the atomic ground state through three-photo n absorption, exhibits a clear induced structure, while the (2)p(3/2) continuum possesses no observable structure under the present experime ntal conditions, as manifested through high-resolution photoelectron s pectra. The modified ionization ratio is controlled by the wavelength of the dressing field.