title: Resonance ionization spectroscopy in a thermal lithium beam by means of diode lasers.
abstract: We measured two-step photoion current spectra by using a semiconductor laser and a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with fourth-harmonic generation in an atomic lithium beam. The number of ions measured was compared with an estimate from the diode laser absorption measurement that uses a set of precisely solved rate equations. We explain the saturation effects on absorption by using transit time relaxation and detailed calculations of the ionization levels.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Física, ComisiónChilena de Energía Nuclear, Amunategui 95, Casilla 188-D, Santiago, Chile. iolivare@gopher.cchen.cl
authors.forename: I E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Olivares
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Duarte