DICHROISM IN THE 3P PHOTOIONIZATION OF POLARIZED CR ATOMS

The 3p photoionization of polarized Cr atoms was investigated by means of photoelectron spectroscopy with linearly polarized vacuum ultravio let undulator radiation. The 3p photoelectron spectra depend strongly on the polarization of the Cr ground state. Linear dichroism and linea r magnetic dichroism in the angular distribution were observed using e ither linearly or circularly polarized laser radiation to polarize the ground state of the Cr atoms. Both effects provide striking confirmat ion of the general theory of photoionization from polarized atoms and elucidate recent results on magnetic thin films.