POLARIZATION EFFECTS IN 2-COLOR PHOTODETACHMENT OF NEGATIVE-IONS

Two-colour photodetachment of a negative ion modelled by a three-dimensional delta-function potential is theoretically investigated. The high-frequency low-intensity field is closely tuned to the detachment energy of the ion, the low-frequency high intensity field creates a ponderomotive potential of 2.6% of the detachment energy and at the same time sidebands. The two fields are circularly polarized with either equal or opposite polarizations. In accordance with the Wigner threshold law, for equal and opposite polarizations, the sideband-induced thresholds are above or below the one-photon detachment threshold, respectively. The one-photon threshold is markedly visible for opposite polarizations at the position shifted by the full ponderomotive potential. For equal polarizations and low frequencies it is not noticeable at all. © 1990 IOP Publishing Ltd.