Atoms, Molecules zo..0.,,, and Clusters for PhysikD © Springer-Verlag 1993

Abstract. We demonstrate he possibility of performing high resolution laser spectroscopy of iridium atoms pro-duced by sputtering in a hollow cathode discharge. By resolving the hyperfine structure of ultraviolet transitions from the ground state, we measure the magnetic dipole and electric quadrupole constants of the 5d76s 6p 6Gll/2 and 5 d 7 6S 6p 6F7/2 excited levels and we obtain accurate values for the isotope shifts. Iridium is also discussed as possibly providing reference spectra in the 243 nm re-gion, close to the wavelength of the l s-2s two-photon transition of hydrogen. PACS: 32.30.Jc; 35.10.F; 31.30.