Precision Lifetime Measurements on <span class="aps-inline-formula"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi mathvariant="normal">NaI</mi><mi></mi><mn>3</mn><mi mathvariant="italic">p</mi><mi></mi><mrow><msub><mrow><mrow><msup><mrow><mi></mi></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msup></mrow><mi mathvariant="italic">P</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>1</mn><mo>/</mo><mn>2</mn></mrow></msub></mrow></math></span> and <span class="aps-inline-formula"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mn>3</mn><mi mathvariant="italic">p</mi><mrow><msup><mrow><mi></mi></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msup></mrow><mrow><msub><mrow><mi mathvariant="italic">P</mi></mrow><mrow><mn>3</mn><mo>/</mo><mn>2</mn></mrow></msub></mrow></math></span> by Beam-Gas-Laser Spectroscopy

U. Volz; M. Majerus; H. Liebel; A. Schmitt; H. Schmoranzer

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.76.2862

Precision Lifetime Measurements on $NaI 3 p {^{2} P}_{1 / 2}$ and $3 p^{2} P_{3 / 2}$ by Beam-Gas-Laser Spectroscopy

U. Volz, M. Majerus, H. Liebel, A. Schmitt, and H. Schmoranzer

Phys. Rev. Lett. 76, 2862 – Published 15 April 1996

Abstract

The lifetimes of the fine-structure levels $3 p {}^{2}P_{1 / 2}$ and $3 p {}^{2}P_{3 / 2}$ in neutral sodium were determined at improved precision ( $\pm 0.13 %$ , $1 σ$ ) by means of the beam-gas-laser spectroscopy method. The resulting lifetimes of 16.299(21) and 16.254(22) ns, respectively, are in excellent agreement with the results of the most refined theoretical calculations. The long-standing discrepancy between ab initio line strength calculations and the measurements of Gaupp et al. [Phys. Rev. A 26, 3351 (1982)] for the $NaI 3 s - 3 p$ transition appears to be resolved now. In addition, the hyperfine constants of the $3 p {}^{2}P_{3 / 2}$ level were determined.