“…Since the pioneering experiment on resonant laser plasma production in dense sodium vapor by Lucatorto and McIlrath [2], numerous ion investigations in Li [37], Na [8,9], Rb [10,11], and Cs [12,13] vapors excited by cw or pulsed laser light have been reported previously. These studies provide insight into (i) the ionization mechanism, (ii) energy transfer mechanisms which are implied in or serve the ionization.…”