Photoelectron angular distributions from resonant multiphoton ionization of atomic carbon

Abstract
Atomic carbon in both the 3P ground state and the 1D first excited state is prepared by UV multiphoton dissociation of carbon tetrachloride. Photoelectron angular distributions were obtained following two photon resonant, three photon ionization via the 3p 1S0 ← 1D2 transition using linear polarized light and via the 3p 3D2 ← 3P0 transition using both linear and circular polarized light. The results illustrate that resonant multiphoton ionization of atomic carbon must be discussed in terms of the complex atom, and not within a single electron framework.