We study the stabilization behavior of the circular 5g state in neon in a two-pulse experiment. A first pulse prepares the state. Comparison of the single-photon ionization yield, due to a second laser pulse for both short (0.1 ps) intense and long (1 ps) less intense pulses shows an intensity-dependent suppression of ionization. The smaller yield due to the short pulses at intensities of several times ${10}^{13}$ W/${\mathrm{cm}}^2$ is in accordance with recent predictions of stabilization.

• Received 16 June 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.71.3263