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Title: Laser resonance photoionization spectroscopy of Rydberg levels in Fr

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States)

We investigated for the first time the high-lying Rydberg levels in the rare radioactive element francium (Fr). The investigations were conducted by the highly sensitive laser resonance atomic photoionization technique with Fr atoms produced at a rate of about 10/sup 3/ atoms/s in a hot cavity. We measured the wave numbers of the 7p/sup 2/P/sub 3/2/..-->..nd/sup 2/D (n = 22--33) and 7p/sup 2/P/sub 3/2/..-->..ns/sup 2/S (n = 23, 25--27,29--31) transitions and found the binding energy of the 7p/sup 2/P/sub 3/2/ state to be T = -18 924.8(3) cm/sup -1/, which made it possible to establish accurately the ionization potential of Fr.

Research Organization:
Institute of Spectroscopy, USSR Academy of Sciences, 142092 Troitsk, Moscow Region, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
OSTI ID:
5344558
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States), Vol. 59:12
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English