Abstract

A system for direct observation of excited state optical mean lives using the delayed coincidence counting technique is described. The system uses a pulsed proton beam for excitation, a high speed time-to-amplitude converter and an on-line digital computer for data reduction. Mean lives longer than 1 nsec can be measured. Preliminary measurements on the 3¹P, 4³S, and 4¹D levels of helium and several vibrational bands of N₂ are presented to illustrate the capabilities of the system.

© 1968 Optical Society of America

An Apparatus for the Precise Determination of Lifetimes of Atomic States

E. E. Habib, B. P. Kibble, and G. Copley
Appl. Opt. 7(4) 673-675 (1968)

Measurement of Excited State Relaxation Rates

W. R. Bennett, P. J. Kindlmann, and G. N. Mercer
Appl. Opt. 4(S1) 34-57 (1965)

Lifetimes of Some 4p Levels in Argon I*

Jules Z. Klose
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 57(10) 1242-1244 (1967)

Direct Measurement of Atomic Lifetimes of Cesium and Sodium*

Richard J. Wolff and Sumner P. Davis
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 58(4) 490-495 (1968)

Mean Life Measurements Using the Beam Foil Light Source

William S. Bickel
Appl. Opt. 7(12) 2367-2372 (1968)