Observation of an electric quadrupole transition in a negative ion: Experiment and Theory

• Main Authors: Walter, C. W, Spielman, S. E, Ponce, R, Gibson, N. D, Yukich, J. N, Cheung, C, Safronova, M. S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 21-11-2020
• Subjects: Physics - Atomic Physics
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2011.10872

Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 083001 (2021) The first direct experimental observation of an electric quadrupole
($\textit{E}$2) transition between bound states of an atomic negative ion has
been made. The transition was observed in the negative ion of bismuth by
resonant (1+1) photodetachment from Bi$^-$ $^3\textit{P}_2$ via excitation of
the Bi$^-$ $^3\textit{P}_0$ fine structure state. The $\textit{E}$2 transition
properties were independently calculated using a hybrid theoretical approach to
account for the strong multi-level electron interactions and relativistic
effects. The experimental and theoretical results are in excellent agreement,
providing valuable new insights into this complex system and forbidden
transitions in negative ions.