Effect of magnetic field on isotope-selective photoionization of atomic samarium using polarized lasers

The effect of an external magnetic field on the isotopic selectivity in a two-color three-step polarization-based isotope-selective photoionization of atomic samarium has been studied. Isotope-selective photoionization of samarium is realized through a level scheme having total angular momentum (J) sequence 0-1-1-continuum by using two lasers linearly polarized in the same direction and the isotopic selectivity is measured by varying the magnetic field strength perpendicular to the laser polarization axis while keeping the delay between the laser pulses fixed and vice versa. The experimental data have been analyzed and compared with the results of the numerical calculations. The magnetic field perpendicular to the laser polarization axis present in the laser-atom interaction region has been found to degrade the isotopic selectivity. Further, the Lande factor ( g J ) of the excited energy level 16 690.76 cm−1 (J = 1) of samarium has been determined from the observed oscillation in the isotopic selectivity. The value of g J , thus obtained, is in good agreement with that reported in the literature.