Resonant two-photon ionization of metastable helium and polarization dependency

The polarization dependency of relative cross-sections of the two-photon REMPI dipole transition (2$\sp1$S-3$\sp1$P) and quadrupole transition (2$\sp1$S-3$\sp1$D) is studied experimentally. Strict attention is paid to the measurement statistics, particularly to those associated with the ionizing laser beam. The cross section profiles are fitted to Voight functions that are generated from the measurement of experimental parameters. Ratios of the circular to linear polarization ion yields are also reported. These ratios are compared to theoretical predictions.