Measurement of the7p2P3/2Level Lifetime in Atomic Francium

Abstract

We present the first measurement of an atomic radiative lifetime in Fr. We use a time-correlated single photon counting technique with a cold sample of {sup 210}Fr atoms in a magneto-optic trap. The results are a precision experimental test of the atomic many-body perturbation theory applied to the heaviest alkali. The lifetime for the 7p {sup 2}P{sub 3/2} level of 21.02(16) ns gives a value for the reduced transition matrix element between the levels 7s {sup 2}S{sub 1/2} {r_arrow} 7p {sup 2}P{sub 3/2} of 5.898(22)a{sub {infinity}} atomic units. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}