Resonantly enhanced vacuum ultraviolet generation and multiphoton ionization in carbon monoxide gas

Abstract
Competition between three-photon resonantly enhanced vacuum ultraviolet third-harmonic generation and six-photon multiphoton ionization using the A state in gaseous carbon monoxide is observed. Excitation spectra of the third-harmonic emission exhibit increasing blue shifts and broadening with increasing pressure due to the phase matching requirements. Estimates for the efficiency and tunability show that third-harmonic generation in carbon monoxide molecules is a promising source for coherent vacuum ultraviolet light.