High-resolution study of xenon autoionization using direct vacuum-ultraviolet laser excitation

A new, direct vacuum-ultraviolet laser-excitation method is used to study t he single-photon autoionization of xenon atoms in the 5p(6) --> 5p(5) ns'[1 /2](1)(0) (14 less than or equal to n less than or equal to 52) and 5p(6) - -> 5p(5) nd'[3/2](1)(0) (16 less than or equal to n less than or equal to 7 8) autoionizing Rydberg series. Fano profile parameters for both series are reported over the entire range of observed states. From analysis of the nd ' series an ionization potential T-d = 108 370.82 +/- 0.05 cm(-1) is obtain ed. This agrees well with a previously reported limit of 108 370.8 +/- 0.2 cm(-1). (C) 2000 Optical Society of America [S0740-3224(00)00111-9].