Role of spin-orbit interaction in the production of spin-polarized photoelectrons using a dressing laser

We investigate the role of spin-orbit interaction in the production of spin-polarized photoelectrons under the influence of a dressing laser. Although the scheme considered here is essentially based on the laser-induced continuum structure, it turns out that special care has to be taken for the spin states in the continua. This is because the spin-orbit interaction in the continuum cannot be neglected for our specific case. After the derivation of the general formula, specific theoretical results are presented for Rb and Cs atoms. Enhancement about a factor of 2 in the degree of spin polarization has been predicted for both systems by the introduction of a dressing laser.