High resolution spectroscopy of iridium in a hollow cathode discharge

We demonstrate the possibility of performing high resolution laser spectroscopy of iridium atoms produced 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 5d 7 6s 6p 6 G 11/2 and 5d 7 6s 6p 6 F 7/2 excited levels and we obtain accurate values for the isotope shifts. Iridium is also discussed as possibly providing reference spectra in the 243 nm region, close to the wavelength of the 1s–2s two-photon transition of hydrogen.