Enhancement of dielectronic recombination in combined electric and magnetic fields

We report the enhancement of dielectronic recombination from a continuum of finite bandwidth in combined electric and magnetic fields. Specifically, we have examined the process Ba 6p(3/2)8g -> 6p(1/2)ng -> 6s(1/2)ng+h nu for 32 <= n <= 47 in combined fields ranging from 0 to 7 V/cm and 0 to 250 G. The results demonstrate that it is the component of B perpendicular to E that leads to enhancement. The experimental results indicate that the B field coupling must exceed the radiative rate, the autoionization rate, and the Stark splitting of the intermediate autoionizing Rydberg states.