Measurement of Large Cross Sections for Laser-Induced Collisions

Abstract

We report measurements of cross sections greater than ${10}^{-13\mathrm{}}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^2$ for laser-induced inelastic collisions between Sr and Ca. We describe an experimental system which produces such large cross sections and which greatly facilitates the study of laser-induced collisions through its ability to reduce noise from other collisional processes.