Isotope selective three-step photoionization of Lu-176

摘要

Numerical computations of ionization efficiency and isotope selectivity of Lu-176 have been carried out for the following three-step ladder type photoionization scheme, 5d6s(22) D-3/2(0.0 cm(-1)) ->(540.406)(8 )(nm) 5d6s6p F-4(5/2)0 (18504.58 cm(-1)) ->(535.0626 nm) 5d6s7s D-4(3/2)(37193.98 cm(-1)) ->(618.0061 nm) 53375 cm(-1) Autoionization State -> s Lu+, by invoking the density matrix formalism for the laser-atom interactions. Equations of motion have been derived for the odd isotopes by inclusion of hyperfine levels. The line shapes and their effect on the ionization efficiency and isotope selectivity have been discussed in detail. The effects of power of excitation and ionization lasers, spectral bandwidths, pulse delays, Doppler broadening of the atomic ensemble on the ionization efficiency, and degree of enrichment have been presented. Optimum conditions for the power of excitation, detunings, and other system parameters for the selective yet efficient photoionization of Lu-176 have been identified. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America