Photoionization of the francium 7P(3/2) state

摘要

We have measured the non-resonant photoionization cross section of the 7P(3/2) state of francium for 442 nm light to be 20.8 +/- 7.1 Mb. Atoms were irradiated in a magneto-optical trap, and we deduce the photoionization rate from the change in trap lifetime. The result is consistent with a simple extrapolation of known cross sections for other alkali atoms.