Magnetic and electric field-induced enhancements in laser-induced anion formation

We report the first observation of magnetic and electric field-induced enha ncements in anion formation from a laser-irradiated molecule. Enhanced anio n formation in laser-excited benzene in the presence of electric and magnet ic fields is reported. These enhancements are primarily due to the field-in duced stabilization of the Rydberg states involved in the anion formation. When compared with magnetic fields, electric fields were found to contribut e to a much lesser extent due to concurrent field ionization of high-lying Rydberg states. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.