Determination of the phase difference between even and odd continuum wave functions in atoms through quantum interference measurements

We establish a technique for the determination of the phase difference between even and odd parity continuum wave functions in atoms. This determination is based upon our detailed measurements of a quantum mechanical interference between two photoionization processes using a two-color laser field. We present our measurement of the phase difference between the continuum p and d waves in atomic rubidium, which is in good agreement with the expected value.