Time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence measurements of Rydberg states in Lu I and comparison with theory

Time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence measurements have been performed for ten odd Rydberg states of neutral lutetium, belonging to the 6s(2)(S-1)np(n = 8-9) and 6 s(2)(S-1)nf (n = 5-8) series. For 6S(2)(S-1)8p and 6s(2)(S-1)7f, the experimental lifetimes corresponding to the two J values within the doublet differ substantially. Comparison with theoretical values, calculated with extensive configuration interaction and core-polarization effects included, shows that the experimental trends are adequately reproduced both for np (n = 8-9) and nf (n = 5-8) states.