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

Xiujuan Zhuang; Anh Le; Timothy C. Steimle; N. E. Bulleid; I. J. Smallman; R. J. Hendricks; S. M. Skoff; J. J. Hudson; B E. Sauer; E. A. Hinds; M. R. Tarbutt

doi:10.1039/c1cp21585j

arXiv · 1110.1868

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

Xiujuan Zhuang·Anh Le·Timothy C. Steimle·N. E. Bulleid·I. J. Smallman·R. J. Hendricks·S. M. Skoff·J. J. Hudson·B E. Sauer·E. A. Hinds·M. R. Tarbutt

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Abstract

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

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Xiujuan Zhuang, Anh Le, Timothy C. Steimle, N. E. Bulleid, I. J. Smallman, R. J. Hendricks, S. M. Skoff, J. J. Hudson, B E. Sauer, E. A. Hinds, M. R. Tarbutt. 2011-10-09. Franck-Condon Factors and Radiative Lifetime of the A^{2}\Pi_{1/2} - X^{2}\Sigma^{+} Transition of Ytterbium Monoflouride, YbF. https://doi.org/10.1039/c1cp21585j

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