Radiative lifetime measurements in Tm III with time-resolved laser spectroscopy and comparisons with HFR calculations

Natural radiative lifetimes of eight levels in Tm III were measured with the time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) technique. Free doubly ionized thulium ions were obtained in a laser-produced plasma. Three even-parity levels were excited from the ground state with one-photon excitation, using a laser system generating pulses of 1 ns duration. Five odd-parity levels were excited from the ground state with two-photon excitation, where a picosecond laser system was employed. In both cases, the lifetimes were evaluated from transient LIF signals detected with a fast-detection system. The experimental lifetime results were compared with Hartree–Fock calculations including relativistic corrections. Good agreement was achieved for the 4f126p levels while larger discrepancies are noted for some 4f125d levels.