LIFETIMES OF THE 3P(5)4S P-3(1), P-1(1) AND 3P(5)3D P-3(1) LEVELS IN K-II

Oscillator strengths for the three lowest ground-state transitions 3p( 6) S-1(0)-3p(5)4s P-3(1), 3p(6) S-1(0)-3p(5)4s P-1(1), and 3p(6) S-1(0 )-3p(5)3d P-3(1) in argonlike II are reported. The values were determi ned by lifetime measurements made using foil excitation of a fast ion beam, which yielded values tau(4s P-3(1)) = 8.41 +/- 1.6 ns, tau(3d P- 3(1)) = 2.4 +/- 0.4 ns, and tau(4s P-1(1)) = 0.43 +/- 0.04 ns. Applica tion of these results to the development of extreme ultraviolet lasers is discussed.