Precision lifetime measurement of the 2p 2P3/2 level for Li-like Ni by beam-foil spectroscopy

In this paper we present a precise and reliable measurement of the 1s22p 2P3/2 lifetime for Li-like Ni. The measurement was done using the technique of beam-foil spectroscopy employing a beam of 5.9 MeV/u Ni from the UNILAC accelerator at GSI. Special attention was taken concerning satellite blending and foil-ageing problems to justify the reliability of the lifetime value extracted from the measured decay curve. The experimental value for the 2p 2P3/2 lifetime, 0.168 ± 0.006 ns, is found to be in very good agreement with theoretical results.