Fine-structure splittings in 2F states of rubidium via three-step laser spectroscopy

Three-step laser excitation is employed to measure the 2F5/2-2F7/2 fine-structure splittings in seven n 2F manifolds of Rb for 4≤n≤10. The use of cycling transitions in the excitation process intensifies the spectra and simplifies signal detection. This sequence of seven measured splittings should serve as a useful test of fine-structure calculations in heavy alkali-metal atoms where complicated, noncentral field treatments of core polarization, configuration mixing, electron correlation, and/or relativistic effects are generally required