Hyperfine structure of electronic levels and the first measurement of the nuclear magnetic moment of ⁶³Ni

Laser resonant photoionization spectroscopy was used to study the hyperfine structure of the optical 3d⁸4s^{2 3}F₄ → 3d⁸4s4p ³G^o₃ and 3d⁹4s ³D₃ → 3d⁸4s4p ³G^o₃ transitions of ⁶³Ni and ⁶¹Ni isotopes. Experimental spectra allowed us to derive hyperfine interaction constants and determine the magnetic dipole moment of the nuclear ground state of ⁶³Ni for the first time: μ = +0.496(5)μ_N. The value obtained agrees well with the prediction of the self-consistent theory of finite Fermi systems. (orig.)