We have measured the lifetime of the $^{3}P_{1}$ metastable state of Mg and obtained a value of 2.2 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.2 msec. The level was excited with a dye laser tuned to the intercombination line ($3s3p^{3}P_{1}\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}3{s}^{2}^{1}S_{0}$). In addition to the $^{3}P_{1}$ state, the $^{3}P_{2}$ and $^{3}P_{0}$ levels were populated by mixing collisions owing to the presence of an inert buffer gas. The populations of all three metastable levels were monitored as a function of time by observing the absorption of Mg resonance radiation ($^{3}P_{0,1,2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{3}S_{1}$) out of each level. The mixing time was short compared to the $^{3}P_{1}$ lifetime, so that the populations of the three metastable levels were in thermal equilibrium with each other. This produced an apparent lengthening of the $^{3}P_{1}$ lifetime, which would introduce a large systematic error if the degree of mixing were not known. Cenventionally, one observes the fluorescence from the excited levels to obtain their lifetimes. Because the lifetimes of the $^{3}P_{2}$ and $^{3}P_{0}$ states are too long, fluorescence from these states cannot be observed, and the observation of fluorescence from the $^{3}P_{1}$ state alone provides insufficient information to determine its lifetime.We have measured the lifetime of the $^{3}P_{1}$ metastable state of Mg and obtained a value of 2.2 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.2 msec. The level was excited with a dye laser tuned to the intercombination line ($3s3p^{3}P_{1}\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}3{s}^{2}^{1}S_{0}$). In addition to the $^{3}P_{1}$ state, the $^{3}P_{2}$ and $^{3}P_{0}$ levels were populated by mixing collisions owing to the presence of an inert buffer gas. The populations of all three metastable levels were monitored as a function of time by observing the absorption of Mg resonance radiation ($^{3}P_{0,1,2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{3}S_{1}$) out of each level. The mixing time was short compared to the $^{3}P_{1}$ lifetime, so that the populations of the three metastable levels were in thermal equilibrium with each other. This produced an apparent lengthening of the $^{3}P_{1}$ lifetime, which would introduce a large systematic error if the degree of mixing were not known. Cenventionally, one observes the fluorescence from the excited levels to obtain their lifetimes. Because the lifetimes of the $^{3}P_{2}$ and $^{3}P_{0}$ states are too long, fluorescence from these states cannot be observed, and the observation of fluorescence from the $^{3}P_{1}$ state alone provides insufficient information to determine its lifetime.

Physical Review AJan 1, 197420 citations

Spectroscopy of a single Mg+ ion

David J. Wineland, Wayne M. Itano

Physics Letters AMar 1, 1981133 citations

Remeasurement of the Mg P13 -state lifetime

Paul S. Furcinitti, J. J. Wright, L. C. Balling

The lifetime of the metastable $^{3}P_{1}$ state of Mg has been remeasured by a dye-laser excitation technique. The metastable state was populated by an intense pulse of 4571-\AA{} radiation from a flashlamp-pumped dye laser, and the decay of the population was monitored by observing the absorption of 5173-\AA{} resonance radiation from a Mg discharge lamp. The measured value for the $^{3}P_{1}$ lifetime is 4.5 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.5 msec.The lifetime of the metastable $^{3}P_{1}$ state of Mg has been remeasured by a dye-laser excitation technique. The metastable state was populated by an intense pulse of 4571-\AA{} radiation from a flashlamp-pumped dye laser, and the decay of the population was monitored by observing the absorption of 5173-\AA{} resonance radiation from a Mg discharge lamp. The measured value for the $^{3}P_{1}$ lifetime is 4.5 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.5 msec.

Physical Review ASep 1, 197533 citations

Long-range interactions between Mg atoms

J. F. Babb

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyJun 7, 20120 citations

MAGNETIC RESONANCE MEASUREMENT OF THE "COHERENCE TIME" OF Hg $sup 199$ AND Hg $sup 201$ ISOTOPESMAGNETIC RESONANCE MEASUREMENT OF THE "COHERENCE TIME" OF Hg$sup 199$ AND Hg$sup 201$ ISOTOPES

F. Hartmann-Boutron, J.-P. Barratt, J. Brossel

A study of the 6/sup 3/P/sub 1/ level of isotope pairs of Mg by magnetic resonance methods leads to the determination of a coherence time'' which is much longer than the duration of the life of the level. At very low vapor densities, the coherence time'' approaches the level lifetime. Experimental resilts verified that the coherence time'' is dependent only on the number of diffusing atoms and on the obseved hypefiine level and that it approaches the level lifetime. (J.S.R.)A study of the 6/sup 3/P/sub 1/ level of isotope pairs of Mg by magnetic resonance methods leads to the determination of a coherence time'' which is much longer than the duration of the life of the level. At very low vapor densities, the coherence time'' approaches the level lifetime. Experimental resilts verified that the coherence time'' is dependent only on the number of diffusing atoms and on the obseved hypefiine level and that it approaches the level lifetime. (J.S.R.)

Compt. rend.Dec 16, 19570 citations

We have measured the lifetime of the

^{3}P_{1}

metastable state of Mg and obtained a value of 2.2 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.2 msec. The level was excited with a dye laser tuned to the intercombination line ($3s3p^{3}P_{1}\ensuremath{\leftrightarrow}3{s}^{2}^{1}S_{0}$). In addition to the

^{3}P_{1}

state, the

^{3}P_{2}

and

^{3}P_{0}

levels were populated by mixing collisions owing to the presence of an inert buffer gas. The populations of all three metastable levels were monitored as a function of time by observing the absorption of Mg resonance radiation ($^{3}P_{0,1,2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{3}S_{1}$) out of each level. The mixing time was short compared to the

^{3}P_{1}

lifetime, so that the populations of the three metastable levels were in thermal equilibrium with each other. This produced an apparent lengthening of the

^{3}P_{1}

lifetime, which would introduce a large systematic error if the degree of mixing were not known. Cenventionally, one observes the fluorescence from the excited levels to obtain their lifetimes. Because the lifetimes of the

^{3}P_{2}

and

^{3}P_{0}

states are too long, fluorescence from these states cannot be observed, and the observation of fluorescence from the

^{3}P_{1}

state alone provides insufficient information to determine its lifetime.

The lifetime of the metastable

^{3}P_{1}

state of Mg has been remeasured by a dye-laser excitation technique. The metastable state was populated by an intense pulse of 4571-\AA{} radiation from a flashlamp-pumped dye laser, and the decay of the population was monitored by observing the absorption of 5173-\AA{} resonance radiation from a Mg discharge lamp. The measured value for the

^{3}P_{1}

lifetime is 4.5 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.5 msec.

MAGNETIC RESONANCE MEASUREMENT OF THE "COHERENCE TIME" OF Hg

sup 199

AND Hg

sup 201

ISOTOPES