A lifetime measurement of the 1s2p³P₁level in helium-like Mg and Al

Abstract

The lifetimes of the 1s2p 3P1 levels of helium-like magnesium and aluminium have been measured by the beam-foil decay curve technique. The 1s2-1s2p transitions were observed with a curved-crystal X-ray spectrometer. Decay curves taken under systematically varied conditions have been evaluated using several techniques including a cascade model. The results are in agreement with most of the theoretical predictions.