Franck-Condon Factors and Radiative Lifetime of the A^{2}\Pi_{1/2} - X^{2}\Sigma^{+} Transition of Ytterbium Monoflouride, YbF

摘要

The fluorescence spectrum resulting from laser excitation of theA^{2}\Pi_{1/2} - X^{2}\Sigma^{+} (0,0) band of ytterbium monofluoride, YbF, hasbeen recorded and analyzed to determine the Franck-Condon factors. The measuredvalues are compared with those predicted from Rydberg-Klein-Rees (RKR)potential energy curves. From the fluorescence decay curve the radiativelifetime of the A^{2}\Pi_{1/2} state is measured to be 28\pm2 ns, and thecorresponding transition dipole moment is 4.39\pm0.16 D. The implications forlaser cooling YbF are discussed.