Three-step resonance ionization of zirconium with Ti:Sapphire lasers

• Published in: Spectrochimica acta. Part B: Atomic spectroscopy 2019-08, Vol.158 (C), p.105640, Article 105640
• Main Authors: Liu, Y., Romero-Romero, E., Garand, D., Lantis, J.D., Minamisono, K., Stracener, D.W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS; First ionization potential; Ionization; Lasers; Photochemical reactions; Photoionization; Resonance; Rydberg series; Sapphire; Zirconium
• ISSN: 0584-8547; 1873-3565
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sab.2019.105640

Three-step resonance ionization of atomic zirconium using Ti:Sapphire lasers is investigated for the first time. We have located eight new excited states between 41,160 and 41,824 cm−1 that could serve as the intermediate state for the second-step transition. Three-step ionization paths via two of the newly observed states have been studied and numerous high-lying and autoionizing levels are observed. Eight new Rydberg series of odd-parity are identified in the photoionization spectra. The convergence limits of these Rydberg series allow us to determine the first ionization potential of Zr to be 53,507.832(35)stat(20)sys cm−1 with an order of magnitude improvement in uncertainty over the previous measurements. In addition, our measurements for one of the selected three-step paths show that the transitions can be saturated with low to moderate laser powers. [Display omitted] •First three-step resonance ionization spectroscopy of zirconium with Ti:Sapphire lasers•Eight odd-parity Rydberg series, 290 new Rydberg states of Zr reported for the first time.•The ionization potential (IP) of Zr refined to be 53,507.832(35)(20) cm−1.•An order of magnitude improvement over previous measurements in uncertainty of the IP value•Selected three-step resonant transitions can be saturated with low to moderate laser power.