Franck-Condon Factors and Radiative Lifetime of the A^{2}\Pi_{1/2} -   X^{2}\Sigma^{+} Transition of Ytterbium Monoflouride, YbF
  The fluorescence spectrum resulting from laser excitation of the A^{2}\Pi_{1/2} - X^{2}\Sigma^{+} (0,0) band of ytterbium monofluoride, YbF, has been recorded and analyzed to determine the Franck-Condon factors. The measured values are compared with those predicted from Rydberg-Klein-Rees (RKR) potential energy curves. From the fluorescence decay curve the radiative lifetime of the A^{2}\Pi_{1/2} state is measured to be 28\pm2 ns, and the corresponding transition dipole moment is 4.39\pm0.16 D. The implications for laser cooling YbF are discussed. 
Xiujuan Zhuang, Anh Le, Timothy C. Steimle, N. E. Bulleid, I. J.   Smallman, R. J. Hendricks, S. M. Skoff, J. J. Hudson, B E...
physics.atom-ph