Polarization-dependent laser-induced orientation in antiprotonic helium

Laser-induced orientation and population dynamics in antiprotonic helium un der the action of a short laser pulse are studied numerically to investigat e polarization effects. Stimulated transition from the metastable long-live d state to the Auger-decayed state is considered, taking into account the Z eeman structure of the levels. The regimes when nearly all atoms can be tra nsferred to the lower level (similar to a pi -pulse in a two-level system) are demonstrated.