Studies on radiative lifetimes in the 4d 10 ns2 S and 4d 10 nd 2 D sequences of neutral silver

We have performed lifetime measurements in the sequences of² S _1/2 and² D _3/2 states for the alkali-like 4d ¹⁰ ns,nd configurations of neutral silver. Selective stepwise excitations from the 4d ¹⁰ 5s ² S _1/2 ground state were performed using two pulsed dye lasers. Optical transients were recorded and evaluated with regard to the decay time. The lifetime results are compared with those of a theoretical study in which a model potential has been used to describe the polarisation of the 4d shell.