Atomic Transition Probabilities in Tb ii with Applications to Solar and Stellar Spectra

Abstract

Absolute atomic transition probabilities are reported for many of the strongest lines in Tb II (the second spectra of terbium). Branching fractions were measured from Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) data and combined with radiative lifetimes from recent laser-induced fluorescence measurements to determine these transition probabilities. Due to the absence of an extensive published classified line list for Tb II, accurate line positions in the FTS data as well as hyperfine structure patterns (described in the adjacent paper) were used to verify line classifications reported herein. These laboratory data are applied to determine photospheric terbium abundances in the Sun and the Galactic halo giant CS 22892-052.