Absolute Oscillator Strengths in Neutral Chromium and the Solar Chromium Abundance

We have measured branching ratios for all classified transitions from seven levels in neutral chromium whose lifetimes had previously been measured using the beam-foil technique, and have deduced corresponding gf-values for 44 lines in Cr t. Branching ratios for strong transitions are in adequate agreement with those of Corliss and Bozman, but their absolute oscillator strengths are larger than ours by approximately 0.7 dex. Several of our measured transitions the criteria that their solar equivalent widths be reliably measurable and that they be sufficiently weak to yield points on the linear section and shoulder of the curve of growth. Using a theoretical curve of growth calculated for the Elste model 10 solar photosphere and equivalent widths from solar spectra taken at Kitt Peak National Observatory, we deduce from our gf-values a solar photospheric chromium abundance of log Ncr = 5.80 j 0.18 (where log NH = 12.0). Subject headings: abundances, solar - transition probabilities