An experimental study of the previously unobserved and controversial ${\mathrm{Cs}}^{\ensuremath{-}}(6s6p^{3}P_{J}^{o})$ states has been conducted using a combination of infrared laser and storage ring experiments. This first application of photodetachment spectroscopy to the study of low-lying resonances in atomic negative ions has resulted in the observation of a narrow resonance structure, lying only 8.0(3) meV above the first detachment threshold of ${\mathrm{Cs}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$. The storage ring experiments suggest that all fine structure levels of the $6s6p$ configuration are unbound, thereby eliminating possibly the only serious candidate for a stable atomic negative ion with opposite parity bound states.An experimental study of the previously unobserved and controversial ${\mathrm{Cs}}^{\ensuremath{-}}(6s6p^{3}P_{J}^{o})$ states has been conducted using a combination of infrared laser and storage ring experiments. This first application of photodetachment spectroscopy to the study of low-lying resonances in atomic negative ions has resulted in the observation of a narrow resonance structure, lying only 8.0(3) meV above the first detachment threshold of ${\mathrm{Cs}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$. The storage ring experiments suggest that all fine structure levels of the $6s6p$ configuration are unbound, thereby eliminating possibly the only serious candidate for a stable atomic negative ion with opposite parity bound states.

Physical Review LettersJan 26, 199863 citations

6s6p

configuration are unbound, thereby eliminating possibly the only serious candidate for a stable atomic negative ion with opposite parity bound states.