Laser-induced isotope selective photoionization of atomic samarium

Abstract

Resonance ionization spectroscopy of samarium has been performed in an atomic beam in conjunction with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Isotope selective photoionization studies have been carried out on one of the even isotopes of samarium (152Sm). High degree of isotopic selectivity (> 95%) has been achieved experimentally for 152Sm using multi-mode dye lasers. Isotopic abundance of 152Sm in mass selective photoionization has been studied as a function of excitation laser energy density. By employing isotope selective photoionization spectroscopy, the isotope shifts for the first- and second-step transitions have also been determined.