Radiative lifetime measurements in ErII by time-resolved laser spectroscopy

Radiative lifetimes of 30 excited states of Er 11, ranging in energy from 25 592 to 36 148 cm(-1), have been measured by means of a time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) technique. Free, singly ionized erbium ions were produced in a laser-induced plasma. A tunable laser, with 1 ns duration pulse, was employed to selectively excite the Er+ ions. The lifetime values were evaluated from the transient LIF signals recorded by a fast detection system. A comparison of the new results with previously published values is given. HFR calculations, including core-polarization contributions, are found to be in reasonable agreement with experiment, but the present calculations clearly indicate that further laboratory and theoretical work is urgently needed, particularly for the low lying odd configurations of this complex ion.