Abstract

Molecules can be multiply ionized by intense laser pulses. Although triply ionized diatomic molecule (trications) must exist, at least, as intermediate states, it is generally difficult to observe them directly because most of their potential curves are repulsive or have very shallow wells and the fragmentation by the Coulomb explosion occurs in a very short time. Only three metastable diatomic trications have been observed experimentally previously. With this experiment we introduce a new method for producing trications and simultaneously show the existence of three others.

© 1997 Optical Society of America