  We demonstrate the efficient generation of Be$^+$ ions with a 60 ns and 150
nJ laser pulse near 235 nm for two-step photo-ionization, proven by subsequent
counting the number of ions loaded into a linear Paul trap. The bandwidth and
power of the laser pulse are chosen in such a way that a first, resonant step
fully saturates the entire velocity distribution of beryllium atoms effusing
from a thermal oven. The second excitation step is driven by the same light
field causing efficient non-resonant ionization. Our ion-loading scheme is more
than 15 times more efficient as compared to former pathways using two-photon
continuous wave laser excitation.
