Perturbations in thenp 1,3 P Rydberg sequences of neutralYb probed by Zeeman-effect and lifetime measurements

Thenp P Rydberg sequence of neutral Ytterbium is strongly perturbed. These perturbations were monitored by measuring theg _J factors and lifetimes of 19 states, including both singlets and triplets as well as states from the perturbing configurations. A pulsed laser setup was used. Theg _J factors were obtained from a Zeeman quantum-beat experiment and the lifetimes by direct observation of the decay of the fluorescence light.