Studies of characteristic flash X-ray lines

Level crossings obeying the selection ruleΔm=2 have been detected in the 6² P _3/2-state of both Rb⁸⁵ and Rb⁸⁷. Using the measured crossing points, the ratios of the hyperfinestructure constants to theg _J -factor are determined from a calculation for intermediate magnetic fields. The ratios areA ₈₅/g _J =6.119 (3) Mc/s,B ₈₅/g _J =6.14 (2) Mc/s,A ₈₇/g _J =20.70 (3) Mc/s,B ₈₇/g _J =2.93 (5) Mc/s. From the zero field level crossing of Rb⁸⁷ the lifetimeτ=1.14 (6) · 10^?7sec of the 6²P_3/2-state is obtained. Level crossing signals have also been observed in the presence of noble gas admixtures.