Study of electron impact excitation of atoms through lasers

We discuss three different experiments for studying electron-excitation of atoms where lasers have been used in combination. These are stepwise electron-photon excitation, superelastic electron scattering from laser excited atoms and excitation of atoms using spin polarized electrons produced by lasers. We present distorted wave calculations and compare our results with the recently reported such experimental measurements. In particular, the results for the alignment and orientation of the excited n(2)P States of K (n = 4) and Rb (n = 5) atoms and the spin parameters for the lowest excited P-1(1) and P-3(0,1,2) states of argon by polarized electrons are presented and discussed. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.