Radiative lifetime measurements of odd-parity levels of Tb I by time-resolved laser spectroscopy

The experimental lifetimes of 27 odd-parity levels of neutral terbium, in the energy region 27 220-33 293 cm(-1), were measured for the first time by a time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence (TR-LIF) technique. Free Tb atoms were produced in laser-induced plasma, and one-step selective excitation was used to populate the desired upper levels. Lifetimes were evaluated from the time-resolved fluorescence signals recorded by a fast detection system. The measured lifetime values are in the range from 6.5 to 43.9 ns.