Observation of a Curve Crossing Mechanism in the Field Ionization of Inner-Shell Excited Single Xe³³⁺(2 p̄) and Double Xe³⁴⁺(2 s̄2 p̄) Vacancy States

Anomalous intensity dependent quenching of the Xe(L) hollow atom emission from the single Xe33+(2p̅) and double Xe34+(2s̅2p̅) vacancy 3d→2p transition arrays indicates the presence of a state-selective curve crossing mechanism for the field ionization of the excited 3d4configuration by intense (2-3 × 1020× W/cm2) 248-nm radiation.