Lineprofile and linewidth of Cu autoionization levels

The line profile of several Cu autoionization levels have been measured experimentally by the optogalvanic technique. The optogalvanic signals related to the autoionization states have a distinct signature, namely a fast initial response which is the result of an essentially immediate ionization of these levels. As a result, the initial response overlaps the temporal profile of the laser. This is followed by a usual optogalvanic signal (OGS) reflecting the relaxation of the plasma to its equilibrium conditions on plasma timescale. A tunable pulsed dye laser is used to obtain OGS and to scan the resonance profile of several Cu autoionization levels. The transitions show the characteristic asymmetric Fano line profiles The detection of fast autoionization processes as well as measurements of saturation broadening in some of these levels are demonstrated.