“Catalytic resonance ionization” - A novel universal technique for the formation of a two-component anode-plasma

In this paper we describe a technique to produce planar and volumetric ion sources of nearly every element. This technique is based on a generalization of the LIBORS-process (Laser Ionization Based On Resonant Saturation) which because of its similarity to chemical catalytic reactions has been called CATRION (CAT-alytic Resonance IONization). A vapor containing the desired atomic species is doped with a suitable element possessing resonance transitions that can be pumped to saturation with a laser. By superelastic collisions with the excited atoms and by stimulated bremsstrahlung absorption seed electrons are heated and multiplied. It is the heated electron component which then by collisional processes also ionizes the desired atomic species. This technique will work efficient if both the atom and the ion of the dopant posses resonant transitions that can be pumped by the same laser. Instead of using tunable dye lasers we propose to apply gas lasers which are more robust and appropriate for repetitive long term operation. We present a large number of coincidences between gas laser wavelength and resonant transitions in suitable atoms.