Level-crossing measurement of lifetime and hfs constants of the P322 states of the stable alkali atoms

Abstract

Measurements have been made of the hyperfine structure (hfs) constants and lifetimes of the first and second P322 states of the stable alkali atoms, except lithium, using the pure magnetic field level-crossing technique. The results for Na23 are State a(MHz) b(MHz) τ (nsec) 3P322 18.9 ± 0.3 2.4 ± 0.3 16.0 ± 0.5 4P322 6.2 ± 0.2 1.0 ± 0.1 95 ± 4 The results for K39 have been reported previously. For Rb85 and Cs133, hfs constants were obtained that agreed with, but were less accurate than, previous work. The measured life-times are Element State τ (nsec) Rb85 5P322 25.5 ± 0.5 6P322 118 ± 4 Cs133 6P322 32.7 ± 1.5 7P322 134.5 ± 2.8 The error limits in these measurements are two standard deviations. The above results were obtained by fitting the observed level-crossing signal to a theoretical line shape computed from the Breit formula, using a, b, and τ as parameters. © 1970 The American Physical Society.