Observation of even-parity autoionization states of uranium by three-colour photoionization optogalvanic spectroscopy in U-Ne hollow cathode discharges

Three-colour three-step photoionization spectroscopy of uranium has been performed in a U-Ne hollow cathode discharge tube by temporally resolving three-colour photoionization optogalvanic (PIOG) signal from the normal optogalvanic (OG) signal using three tunable pulsed dye lasers. U-Ne hollow cathode discharge tube has been used as a source of uranium atomic vapours and photoionization detector. Using this technique, photoionization spectra of uranium have been investigated systematically in the energy region 52,150-52,590 cm−1, through three different excitation pathways, originating from its ground state, 0 cm−1(5Lo6). By analysing the three-colour photoionization spectra sixty new even-parity autoionization resonances of uranium have been identified and their probable total angular momentum (J) values have been assigned according to the J-momentum selection rule. The J-value of five autoionization resonances, which have been observed either through all three excitation pathways or through two different excitation pathways where J-value of the second excited levels differs by two, has been assigned uniquely.

► Three-colour photoionization optogalvanic spectroscopy of uranium was performed in a U-Ne hollow cathode discharge tube. ► Hollow cathode discharge tube was used as a source of atomic vapour and laser ionisation detector. ► Uranium photoionization spectra were investigated through three different three-colour photoionization schemes. ► Sixty new even-parity autoionization levels of uranium were identified. ► J-value of five autoionization levels was assigned uniquely.