  Metastable states of noble gas atoms are typically produced by electrical
discharge techniques or "all-optical" excitation methods. Here we combine
electrical discharges with optical pumping to demonstrate "optically enhanced"
production of metastable xenon (Xe*). We experimentally measure large increases
in Xe* density with relatively small optical control field powers. This
technique may have applications in systems where large metastable state
densities are desirable.
