  Using TRIUMF's off-line laser ion source test stand with a system of tunable
titanium sapphire lasers, the polarization dependence of laser resonance
ionization has been investigated using beryllium. A significant polarization
dependence was observed for the excitation path
$^1$S$_0$$\rightarrow$$^1$P$^{\circ}_1$$\rightarrow$$^1$S$_0$, which are
typical transitions for alkaline and alkaline-like elements. This polarization
dependence was further verified on Be radioactive isotopes at TRIUMF's isotope
separator and accelerator facility (ISAC). Laser polarization was proven to be
an important parameter in operating resonance ionization laser ion sources
(RILIS).
  The polarization spectroscopy was preformed off-line both on the 2p$^2$
$^1$S$_0$ autoionizing (AI) state and high-$n$ Rydberg states of the $2sns$
$^1S_0$ and $2snd$ $^1D_2$ series. The energy of the 2p$^2$ $^1$S$_0$ AI state
and ionization potential (IP) of beryllium were extracted as 76167(6)~cm$^{-1}$
and 75192.59(3)~cm$^{-1}$. Polarization spectroscopy can be used to determine
the $J$ values of newly found states in in-source spectroscopy of the
complex/radioactive alkaline-like elements such as Ra, Sm, Yb, Pu and No.
