Hyperfine structure and lifetime measurements of the 8p 2P [formula omitted] levels of indium 115

Abstract

The natural lifetime and hyperfine structure of the 8p 2P 1 2 and 8p 2P 3 2 levels of 115In have been determined. The levels have been populated in an atomic beam by pulsed stepwise laser excitation. The fluorescence from the excited states was observed by a fast photomultiplier. The lifetimes, deduced from the fluorescence decay are 316 ± 20 ns for the 2P 3 2 level and 312 ± 20 ns for the 2P 1 2 level. The hyperfine structure splittings were determined by means of quantum beats. The A-factor found for the 2P 1 2 level is 44.2 ± 0.4 Mhz. The A and B factor deduced from the hyperfine splittings of the 2P 3 2 level are 16.3 ± 0.1 MHz and 11.4 ± 0.3 MHz, respectively.