Abstract

The Sr atoms are excited stepwise by means of three dye lasers. All three lasers are linearly polarized in the same direction to allow the populations of the ${{\text{(5p}}_{\frac{1}{2}}\text{ns)}}_{\text{J}=1}$ or ${{\text{(5p}}_{\frac{1}{2}}\text{nd)}}_{\text{J=1,3}}$. By sweeping the wavelength of the third dye laser we are able to record the excitation spectrum of the autoionizing states.

© 1986 Optical Society of America