Laser Assisted Electron–Alkali Atom Collisions

Abstract

Lasar assisted inelastic scattering of electrons by alkali atoms is studied theoretically. The non-perturbative quasi-energy method, which is generalised for many atomic states, is used to describe the laser–atom interaction, and the electron–atom interaction is treated within the first Born approximation. We have calculated the total cross section for the excitation of sodium atoms due to simultaneous electron–photon collisions. We show the effect of laser and collision parameters, e.g. laser intensity, polarisation and incident electron energy, on the excitation process.