Analysis of resonance structure in the above-threshold ionization photoelectron spectra of magnesium

Using high-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy and 120-fs, 800-nm Ti:sapphire laser pulses, we observe and analyze intensity-dependent resonant population of specific intermediate excited states of neutral magnesium atoms and their subsequent photoionization in the laser field. Various participating states are identified using angular-momentum selection rules, partial yields, and angular distributions. Several unexpected results are observed and discussed, including peaks that do not correspond to expected resonant processes, and order-to-order variations in the photoelectron spectra.