Fine structure continuum cross section ratios in the two-photon ionization of rubidium using elliptically polarized light

Phys Rev Lett. 2001 Mar 5;86(10):1998-2001. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.86.1998.

Abstract

Using fully relativistic perturbation theory we report fine structure continuum cross section ratios for the two-photon ionization of rubidium under elliptically polarized light. The choice of light polarization and wavelength matches the recent complete experiments on rubidium reported by Wang and Elliott [Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 3795 (2000)]. The sigma(d5/2)/sigma(d3/2) cross section ratios calculated are consistent with results expected if relativistic fine structure effects are small, and are very much at odds with the recent experimental findings.