Precise measurement of hyperfine structure in the $3{\mathrm{S}}_{1/2}$ state of ${}^7\mathrm{Li}$

Abstract

We report a precise measurement of hyperfine structure in the $3{\mathrm{S}}_{1/2}$ state of the odd isotope of Li, namely ${}^7\mathrm{Li}$. The state is excited from the ground $2{\mathrm{S}}_{1/2}$ state (which has the same parity) using two single-photon transitions via the intermediate $2{\mathrm{P}}_{3/2}$ state. The value of the hyperfine constant we measure is $A=93.095(52)$ MHz, which resolves two discrepant values reported in the literature measured using other techniques. Our value is also consistent with theoretical calculations.

9 pages, 5 figures