Quest for experimental M1 and E1-intercombination transition probabilities in few-electron Xe ions

Abstract

The experimental access to M1 transition probabilities within thens 2 np k (1 ≦k ≦ 5) ground state configurations of highly ionized atoms is outlined. A test experiment on Xe(45–50)+ yielded first spectra and decay curves of the 2s 2 1 S 0 − 2s2p 3 P 1 0 intercombination transition in Xe50+ and of M1 transitions within the 2s 2 2p k (1 ≦k ≦ 5) ground configurations. The data compare well only with theoretical predictions which take the Lamb shift into account. Problems and prospects for better measurements are discussed.