The electron affinity of phosphorus

• Published in: Journal of physics. B, Atomic, molecular, and optical physics Atomic, molecular, and optical physics, 2007-10, Vol.40 (20), p.4097-4107
• Main Authors: Andersson, P, Lindahl, A O, Alfredsson, C, Rogström, L, Diehl, C, Pegg, D J, Hanstorp, D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atomic and molecular physics; Atomic properties and interactions with photons; Exact sciences and technology; Fine and hyperfine structure; Ionization potentials, electron affinities; Photodetachment of atomic negative ions; Photon interactions with atoms; Physics; Properties of atoms and atomic ions
• ISSN: 0953-4075; 1361-6455
• DOI: 10.1088/0953-4075/40/20/010

We have measured the energies of all three fine structure components in the 3PJ ground state of the negative ion of phosphorus using laser photodetachment threshold spectroscopy. The experiment yielded an electron affinity of 746.68(6) meV. The DeltaJ = 2-0, 2-1 and 1-0 fine structure splittings were determined to be 32.73(7) meV, 22.48(7) meV and 10.25(3) meV, respectively. In the experiment, a mass selected beam of P- ions was merged with the output from a pulsed infrared optical parametric oscillator. The residual atoms produced in the photodetachment process were detected and used as a monitor of the photon-energy dependence of the relative cross section. The Wigner law was fitted to each of the three observed onsets of production of neutrals in order to extract the threshold energies.