Photoionization of alkali and alkaline earth atoms: Na and Mg

Determinations of the photoionization cross sections of ground state magnesium atoms and excited state sodium atoms have been made over a wide wavelength range. The ground state measurement in magnesium was performed using synchrotron radiation from the UV ring at the National Synchrotron Light Source. Several autoionization resonances were observed. The photoionization cross section of excited sodium atoms was determined by irradiating laser-produced Na(3p) with synchrotron light. In both cases, agreement with theory is excellent. Future experiments will be directed toward examination of photoionization of laser excited alkaline earth metals; these experiments should yield a wealth of new data on autoionizing states. 13 references, 3 figures