Abstract
Three-step resonance ionization of atomic zirconium using Ti:Sapphire lasers is investigated for the first time. We have located eight new excited states between 41,160 and 41,824 cm−1 that could serve as the intermediate state for the second-step transition. Three-step ionization paths via two of the newly observed states have been studied and numerous high-lying and autoionizing levels are observed. Eight new Rydberg series of odd-parity are identified in the photoionization spectra. The convergence limits of these Rydberg series allow us to determine the first ionization potential of Zr to be 53,507.832(35)stat(20)sys cm−1 with an order of magnitude improvement in uncertainty over the previous measurements. In addition, our measurements for one of the selected three-step paths show that the transitions can be saturated with low to moderate laser powers.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 105640 |
| Journal | Spectrochimica Acta - Part B Atomic Spectroscopy |
| Volume | 158 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 2019 |
Funding
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy , Office of Science , Office of Nuclear Physics ; in part by National Nuclear Security Admission , Grant No. DE-NA0002924 ; the National Science Foundation , Grants No. PHY-15-65546 , and this research used resources of the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which was a DOE Office of Science User Facility. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Nuclear Physics; in part by National Nuclear Security Admission, Grant No. DE-NA0002924; the National Science Foundation, Grants No. PHY-15-65546, and this research used resources of the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which was a DOE Office of Science User Facility.