High-Precision, Systematic Study of Hyperfine Structure in the 4F/Sup N/6S exp 2 Configuration of the Neutral Rare Earths

摘要

Although the hyperfine structure (hfs) of many-electron atoms has been studied intensively in recent years, it is still difficult to distinguish between the competing effects of relativity and configuration interaction. The 4f/sup N/6s exp 2 configuration of the neutral rare earths is of particular interest because (a) the low-lying terms are relatively free of configuration interaction, and (b) trends can be examined systematically as one proceeds through the long 4f-shell. The procedure is to deduce, from the measured hfs constants of low levels, the underlying hyperfine radial integrals for comparison with ab initio predictions. Since some of these integrals are extremely sensitive to any configuration interaction and others are not, it is possible to determine both the extent and type of configuration interaction present in some cases. Prior to the start of the present research no precise hfs information existed for the entire second half of the 4f shell of the rare earths. The present measurements were designed both to provide such data and to make possible a systematic study of the hfs throughout the 4f shell. The atomic-beam, laser-rf, double-resonance method was used for the measurements. With this technique, the occurrence of a radiofrequency transition between atomic hfs levels is detected by noting an increase in the laser-induced fluorescence. (ERA citation 08:047653)