Probing the atomic structure of californium by resonance ionization spectroscopy

The atomic structure of californium was probed by two-step resonance ionization spectroscopy. Using samples with a total amount of about 2 x 10^10 Cf atoms (ca. 8.3 pg), ground-state transitions as well as transitions to high-lying Rydberg states and auto-ionizing states above the ionization potential were investigated and the lifetimes of various atomic levels were measured. These investigations led to the identification of efficient ionization schemes, important for trace analysis and nuclear structure investigations. Most of the measurements were conducted on 250Cf. In addition, the isotope shift of the isotopic chain 249−252Cf was measured for one transition. The identification and analysis of Rydberg series enabled the determination of the first ionization potential of californium to E_IP = 50 666.76(5)/cm. This is about a factor of 20 more precise than the current literature value.

WEBER Felix;  DUELLMANN Christoph;  GADELSHIN Vadim;  KNEIP Nina;  OBERSTEDT Stephan;  RAEDER Sebastian;  RUNKE Joerg;  MOKRY Christoph;  THOERLE-POSPIECH Petra;  STUDER Dominik;  TRAUTMANN Norbert;  WENDT Klaus; 

2022-05-25

Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)

JRC129274

2218-2004 (online),   

https://www.mdpi.com/2218-2004/10/2/51,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC129274,   

10.3390/atoms10020051 (online),