Hyperfine quenching of polarized two-electron ions in an external magnetic field

The hyperfine quenching mechanism of metastable states in polarized heliumlike heavy ions is considered. The lifetime dependence of these states on the ion polarization in an external magnetic field is established. This dependence is presented for the 23P0 state of the europium (Z=63) ion and is proposed as a method for the measurement of the ion polarization in experiments for the search of parity violating effects.