Physical Review Letters

Measurement of the 7p2P3/2 Level Lifetime in Atomic Francium

W. Z. Zhao, J. E. Simsarian, Luis A. Orozco, W. Shi, Gene D. Sprouse

Published Jun 2, 1997• 32 citations

Abstract

We present the first measurement of an atomic radiative lifetime in Fr. We use a time-correlated single photon counting technique with a cold sample of ${}^{210}\mathrm{Fr}$ atoms in a magneto-optic trap. The results are a precision experimental test of the atomic many-body perturbation theory applied to the heaviest alkali. The lifetime for the $7p{}^{2}{P}_{3/2}$ level of $21.02(16)$ ns gives a value for the reduced transition matrix element between the levels $7s{}^{2}{S}_{1/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}7p{}^{2}{P}_{3/2}$ of $5.898(22){a}_{\ensuremath{\infty}}$ atomic units.

DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.78.4169

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Lifetime measurements of the 7p levels of atomic francium

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Lifetime measurements of the 7D levels of atomic francium

Joshua M. Grossman, R. Fliller, Luis A. Orozco +2 more

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Lifetime measurement of the 9s level of atomic francium

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Physical Review Letters

Measurement of the 7p2P3/2 Level Lifetime in Atomic Francium

W. Z. Zhao, J. E. Simsarian, Luis A. Orozco, W. Shi, Gene D. Sprouse

Published Jun 2, 1997• 32 citations

Publisher

Abstract

We present the first measurement of an atomic radiative lifetime in Fr. We use a time-correlated single photon counting technique with a cold sample of

{}^{210}\mathrm{Fr}

atoms in a magneto-optic trap. The results are a precision experimental test of the atomic many-body perturbation theory applied to the heaviest alkali. The lifetime for the

7p{}^{2}{P}_{3/2}

level of

21.02(16)

ns gives a value for the reduced transition matrix element between the levels

7s{}^{2}{S}_{1/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}7p{}^{2}{P}_{3/2}

5.898(22){a}_{\ensuremath{\infty}}

atomic units.

DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.78.4169

Related papers

Lifetime measurements of the 7p levels of atomic francium

J. E. Simsarian, Luis A. Orozco, Gene D. Sprouse +1 more

We present lifetime measurements of the ${7p}^{2}{P}_{3/2}$ and ${7p}^{2}{P}_{1/2}$ levels of Fr. We use a time-correlated single-photon counting technique on a cold sample of ${}^{210}\mathrm{Fr}$ atoms in a magneto-optic trap. We excite the atoms with the trapping and repumping beams of the magneto-optic trap and detect the decay of the atomic fluorescence. The results are a precision experimental test of the atomic many-body perturbation theory applied to the heaviest alkali metal. The lifetime results are 21.02(11) ns and 29.45(11) ns for the ${7p}^{2}{P}_{3/2}$ and ${7p}^{2}{P}_{1/2}$ levels, respectively. This gives a line strength ratio ${\mathcal{S}}_{1/2}$ / ${\mathcal{S}}_{3/2}$ of 0.526(3) for these levels in Fr. To study sources of systematic errors we measure the lifetimes of ${5p}^{2}{P}_{3/2}$ and ${5p}^{2}{P}_{1/2}$ in stable ${}^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ and obtain 26.20(9) ns and 27.64(4) ns, respectively.We present lifetime measurements of the ${7p}^{2}{P}_{3/2}$ and ${7p}^{2}{P}_{1/2}$ levels of Fr. We use a time-correlated single-photon counting technique on a cold sample of ${}^{210}\mathrm{Fr}$ atoms in a magneto-optic trap. We excite the atoms with the trapping and repumping beams of the magneto-optic trap and detect the decay of the atomic fluorescence. The results are a precision experimental test of the atomic many-body perturbation theory applied to the heaviest alkali metal. The lifetime results are 21.02(11) ns and 29.45(11) ns for the ${7p}^{2}{P}_{3/2}$ and ${7p}^{2}{P}_{1/2}$ levels, respectively. This gives a line strength ratio ${\mathcal{S}}_{1/2}$/${\mathcal{S}}_{3/2}$ of 0.526(3) for these levels in Fr. To study sources of systematic errors we measure the lifetimes of ${5p}^{2}{P}_{3/2}$ and ${5p}^{2}{P}_{1/2}$ in stable ${}^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ and obtain 26.20(9) ns and 27.64(4) ns, respectively.

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Joshua M. Grossman, R. Fliller, Luis A. Orozco +2 more

We present lifetime measurements of the ${7D}_{3/2}$ and ${7D}_{5/2}$ levels of Fr. We use a time-correlated single-photon counting technique on a sample of ${}^{210}\mathrm{Fr}$ atoms confined and cooled in a magneto-optical trap. The upper state of the ${7P}_{3/2}$ trapping transition serves as the resonant intermediate level for two-photon excitation of the $7D$ states. A probe laser provides the second step of the excitation, and we detect the decay of the atomic fluorescence. Our measurements help extend the knowledge of this class of atomic wave functions in which correlation effects are very significant. We measure lifetimes of $73.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3 \mathrm{ns}$ and $67.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.9 \mathrm{ns}$ for the ${7D}_{3/2}$ and ${7D}_{5/2}$ levels, respectively.We present lifetime measurements of the ${7D}_{3/2}$ and ${7D}_{5/2}$ levels of Fr. We use a time-correlated single-photon counting technique on a sample of ${}^{210}\mathrm{Fr}$ atoms confined and cooled in a magneto-optical trap. The upper state of the ${7P}_{3/2}$ trapping transition serves as the resonant intermediate level for two-photon excitation of the $7D$ states. A probe laser provides the second step of the excitation, and we detect the decay of the atomic fluorescence. Our measurements help extend the knowledge of this class of atomic wave functions in which correlation effects are very significant. We measure lifetimes of $73.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3 \mathrm{ns}$ and $67.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.9 \mathrm{ns}$ for the ${7D}_{3/2}$ and ${7D}_{5/2}$ levels, respectively.

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Spectroscopy of francium

J. E. Simsarian, Joshua M. Grossman, Luis A. Orozco +3 more

Francium is the least studied of the alkali atoms because it has no stable isotopes. We have performed precision spectroscopy on cold Fr atoms in a magneto optical trap. We have determined the location of the first two excited states of the S series by two-photon spectroscopy. We have measured the lifetimes of the 7p levels with a precision better than 0.5%. Our measurements test the many-body perturbation theory ab initio calculations of the dipole matrix element to very high accuracy in this relativistic alkali.Francium is the least studied of the alkali atoms because it has no stable isotopes. We have performed precision spectroscopy on cold Fr atoms in a magneto optical trap. We have determined the location of the first two excited states of the S series by two-photon spectroscopy. We have measured the lifetimes of the 7p levels with a precision better than 0.5%. Our measurements test the many-body perturbation theory ab initio calculations of the dipole matrix element to very high accuracy in this relativistic alkali.

AIP conference proceedingsJan 1, 19991 citation

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Optics LettersNov 1, 200312 citations

Lifetimes of the 9s and 8p levels of atomic francium

S. Aubin, E. Gómez, Luis A. Orozco +1 more

We use time-correlated single-photon counting techniques on a sample of $^{210}\mathrm{Fr}$ atoms confined and cooled in a magneto-optical trap to measure the lifetimes of the $9{S}_{1∕2},\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}8{P}_{3∕2}$ , and $8{P}_{1∕2}$ excited levels. We populate the $9{S}_{1∕2}$ level by two-photon resonant excitation through the $7{P}_{1∕2}$ level. The direct measurement of the $9{S}_{1∕2}$ decay through the $7{P}_{3∕2}$ level at 851 nm gives a lifetime of $107.53\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.90\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$. We observe the decay of the $9{S}_{1∕2}$ level through the $8{P}_{3∕2}$ level at 423 nm and the $8{P}_{1∕2}$ level at 433 nm down to the $7{S}_{1∕2}$ ground level, and indirectly determine the lifetimes of these to be $83.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$ and $149.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$, respectively.We use time-correlated single-photon counting techniques on a sample of $^{210}\mathrm{Fr}$ atoms confined and cooled in a magneto-optical trap to measure the lifetimes of the $9{S}_{1∕2},\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}8{P}_{3∕2}$, and $8{P}_{1∕2}$ excited levels. We populate the $9{S}_{1∕2}$ level by two-photon resonant excitation through the $7{P}_{1∕2}$ level. The direct measurement of the $9{S}_{1∕2}$ decay through the $7{P}_{3∕2}$ level at 851 nm gives a lifetime of $107.53\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.90\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$. We observe the decay of the $9{S}_{1∕2}$ level through the $8{P}_{3∕2}$ level at 423 nm and the $8{P}_{1∕2}$ level at 433 nm down to the $7{S}_{1∕2}$ ground level, and indirectly determine the lifetimes of these to be $83.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$ and $149.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$, respectively.

Physical Review AOct 20, 200420 citations

Lifetime measurement of the 8s level in francium

E. Gómez, Luis A. Orozco, A. Pérez Galván +1 more

We measure the lifetime of the $8s$ level of $^{210}\mathrm{Fr}$ atoms on a magneto-optically trapped sample with time-correlated single-photon counting. The $7{P}_{1∕2}$ state serves as the resonant intermediate level for two-step excitation of the $8s$ level completed with a $1.3\text{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ laser. Analysis of the fluorescence decay through the $7{P}_{3∕2}$ level gives $53.30\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.44\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$ for the $8s$ level lifetime.We measure the lifetime of the $8s$ level of $^{210}\mathrm{Fr}$ atoms on a magneto-optically trapped sample with time-correlated single-photon counting. The $7{P}_{1∕2}$ state serves as the resonant intermediate level for two-step excitation of the $8s$ level completed with a $1.3\text{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ laser. Analysis of the fluorescence decay through the $7{P}_{3∕2}$ level gives $53.30\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.44\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$ for the $8s$ level lifetime.

arXiv:physics/0412073Physical Review AJun 22, 200518 citations

We present the first measurement of an atomic radiative lifetime in Fr. We use a time-correlated single photon counting technique with a cold sample of

{}^{210}\mathrm{Fr}

atoms in a magneto-optic trap. The results are a precision experimental test of the atomic many-body perturbation theory applied to the heaviest alkali. The lifetime for the

7p{}^{2}{P}_{3/2}

level of

21.02(16)

ns gives a value for the reduced transition matrix element between the levels

7s{}^{2}{S}_{1/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}7p{}^{2}{P}_{3/2}

5.898(22){a}_{\ensuremath{\infty}}

atomic units.

We present lifetime measurements of the

{7p}^{2}{P}_{3/2}

and

{7p}^{2}{P}_{1/2}

levels of Fr. We use a time-correlated single-photon counting technique on a cold sample of

{}^{210}\mathrm{Fr}

atoms in a magneto-optic trap. We excite the atoms with the trapping and repumping beams of the magneto-optic trap and detect the decay of the atomic fluorescence. The results are a precision experimental test of the atomic many-body perturbation theory applied to the heaviest alkali metal. The lifetime results are 21.02(11) ns and 29.45(11) ns for the

{7p}^{2}{P}_{3/2}

and

{7p}^{2}{P}_{1/2}

levels, respectively. This gives a line strength ratio

{\mathcal{S}}_{1/2}

{\mathcal{S}}_{3/2}

of 0.526(3) for these levels in Fr. To study sources of systematic errors we measure the lifetimes of

{5p}^{2}{P}_{3/2}

and

{5p}^{2}{P}_{1/2}

in stable

{}^{87}\mathrm{Rb}

and obtain 26.20(9) ns and 27.64(4) ns, respectively.

We present lifetime measurements of the

{7D}_{3/2}

and

{7D}_{5/2}

levels of Fr. We use a time-correlated single-photon counting technique on a sample of

{}^{210}\mathrm{Fr}

atoms confined and cooled in a magneto-optical trap. The upper state of the

{7P}_{3/2}

trapping transition serves as the resonant intermediate level for two-photon excitation of the

7D

states. A probe laser provides the second step of the excitation, and we detect the decay of the atomic fluorescence. Our measurements help extend the knowledge of this class of atomic wave functions in which correlation effects are very significant. We measure lifetimes of $73.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3 \mathrm{ns}$ and $67.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.9 \mathrm{ns}$ for the

{7D}_{3/2}

and

{7D}_{5/2}

levels, respectively.

We use time-correlated single-photon counting techniques on a sample of

^{210}\mathrm{Fr}

atoms confined and cooled in a magneto-optical trap to measure the lifetimes of the

9{S}_{1∕2},\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}8{P}_{3∕2}

, and

8{P}_{1∕2}

excited levels. We populate the

9{S}_{1∕2}

level by two-photon resonant excitation through the

7{P}_{1∕2}

level. The direct measurement of the

9{S}_{1∕2}

decay through the

7{P}_{3∕2}

level at 851 nm gives a lifetime of $107.53\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.90\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$. We observe the decay of the

9{S}_{1∕2}

level through the

8{P}_{3∕2}

level at 423 nm and the

8{P}_{1∕2}

level at 433 nm down to the

7{S}_{1∕2}

ground level, and indirectly determine the lifetimes of these to be $83.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$ and $149.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$, respectively.

We measure the lifetime of the

8s

level of

^{210}\mathrm{Fr}

atoms on a magneto-optically trapped sample with time-correlated single-photon counting. The

7{P}_{1∕2}

state serves as the resonant intermediate level for two-step excitation of the

8s

level completed with a $1.3\text{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ laser. Analysis of the fluorescence decay through the

7{P}_{3∕2}

level gives $53.30\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.44\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$ for the

8s

level lifetime.