Polarisation of the third harmonic generated by the pump field caused by collisions of electrons and ions in a plasma produced upon ionisation of a gas of excited hydrogen-like atoms

The polarisation properties of the third harmonic of the pump field are considered in a plasma produced upon ionisation of excited hydrogen-like atoms, taking into account l degeneration. These properties depend on the degree of circular polarisation and intensity of the pump field. The threshold nature of the total circular polarisation of the third harmonic appearing in the case of partial circular polarisation of the pump is established. This effect represents the bifurcation of the total circular polarisation. The conditions required to confirm experimentally the predicted polarisation properties of radiation are discussed. (interaction of laser radiation with matter. laser plasma)