Electron angular distributions in non-resonant three-photon ionization of xenon

We present the measurement of electron angular distributions in the three-photon non- resonant ionization of xenon (with ? = 266 nm) above the P1/2 and P3/2 thresholds. Our results for the P3/2 threshold are compatible with previous measurements. The sensitivity of our set-up allowed us to measure the angular distribution of the P1/2 threshold and to resolve unobserved features of P3/2 continua. A measurement of the ionization branching ratio has also been performed. The experimental results show discrepancies with theoretical calculations reported in the literature.