Magnetic and electric field-induced enhancements in laser-induced anion formation

We report the first observation of magnetic and electric field-induced enhancements in anion formation from a laser-irradiated molecule. Enhanced anion formation in laser-excited benzene in the presence of electric and magnetic fields is reported. These enhancements are primarily due to the field-induced stabilization of the Rydberg states involved in the anion formation. When compared with magnetic fields, electric fields were found to contribute to a much lesser extent due to concurrent field ionization of high-lying Rydberg states.