E. Biemont et al., New f-values in neutral lead obtained by time-resolved laser spectroscopy,and astrophysical applications, M NOT R AST, 312(1), 2000, pp. 116-122
Natural radiative lifetimes have been measured for three odd-parity levels
of neutral lead using time-resolved UV laser-induced fluorescence from a la
ser-produced plasma. These new lifetimes, as well as additional recent valu
es obtained by laser spectroscopy, combined with theoretical branching rati
os deduced from a relativistic Hartree-Fock calculation taking core polariz
ation effects into account, have allowed the deduction of a new set of accu
rate f-values of astrophysical interest. Using the new lifetime value for 6
p7s (1/2, 1/2)(0)degrees, a refined value of the lead abundance in the sola
r photosphere is deduced: A(Pb) = 2.00 +/- 0.06 on the usual logarithmic sc
ale, allowing the resolution of the long-standing discrepancy previously ob
served between the solar photosphere and meteorites.