Laser spectroscopy and laser ion source development at UNISOR

The development of the laser spectroscopy facility at UNISOR will be described. The method of collinear laser-atomic beams interaction is utilized to achieve atomic spectra essentially free of Doppler spreading. Measurement of resonance fluorescence via an efficient fiber-optic light collector is used to observe the atomic excitation by the laser beam. The system has been utilized to measure the atomic lifetime of the 6p(sup 4)Ps/2(sup 0) level in Xe II. In other experiments the relativistic Doppler effect was measured as a test of time dilation. Hyperfine structure and isotope shift measurements have been made for a series of Tl atoms ranging in mass from 187 to 205. Magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole moments were deduced for several of these isotopes; these quantities and the isotope shifts added greatly to our understanding of nuclear shapes in this transition region. Future directions will focus around more sensitive detection techniques and the development of purer beams in order to enable the study of nuclei farther from stability. The development of a laser ion source which operates in a completely cold mode and utilizes resonant absorption in the ionization process world facilitate the production of ultra-pure atomic beams.