Improved atomic data for iridium atom (Ir I) and ion (Ir II) and the solar content of iridium

From a combination of radiative lifetime measurements, performed with a time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence technique, for nine odd-parity levels of Ir I and four odd-parity levels of Ir 11 and branching fraction calculations, extended sets of transition probabilities have been derived for transitions of astrophysical interest. The new results are compared with the few experimental data available in the literature and a good agreement is found. They extend considerably the previous sets of transition probabilities available in the literature. Implications of the new results regarding the solar content of iridium are briefly discussed. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.