Photoionization spectra of even-parity states of Sm atom with multistep excitation

Two-color stepwise excitation and photoionization schemes are adopted to study the spectra of bound even-parity high-lying states of the Sm atom with three different excitation paths via the 4f66s6p 7DJ (J=1, 2 and 3) intermediate states. In order to obtain the information of these high-lying states, the Sm atom in these high-lying states is photoionized with an extra photon. Among 231 states detected in the energy region between 35,545 and 44,225 cm−1, 108 states are newly discovered, while the rest can be identified as the same with the literature. In most cases, comparisons of the spectra corresponding to the three different excitation paths may partially determine the total angular momentum of the observed peaks with the selection rules. In addition, the relative intensities of all related transition lines are given.

Research Highlights► Spectra of Sm atom have been studied with photoionization process. ► 108 even-parity states have not been reported previously. ► Total angular momentum of the observed peaks are determined. ► Relative intensities of all related transitions are given.