Lifetimes of several electronic states of matrix-isolated iron, cobalt, and nickel atoms

Pulsed dye laser techniques have been used to excite emission from several electronic states of Fe, Co, and Ni atoms isolated in Ar and Kr matrices. Lifetimes of the excited states derived from the emission decays lie in the range of 150-1250 mu s. The role of the matrix environment and the possibilities of magnetic dipole or vibrationally induced electric dipole mechanisms for the observed emissions are discussed. 26 ref.--AA