Investigations of odd-parity autoionization levels of atomic samarium using three-color resonance ionization spectroscopy

Highlights: • Autoionization spectra in the energy region 50,330 - 51,160 cm⁻¹ of atomic samarium have been investigated by employing three-color three-step laser resonance ionization spectroscopy. • Fifty-five odd-parity autoionization levels of atomic samarium have been observed using three excitation schemes. Among these, fifty autoionization levels are new. • The total angular momenta of eighteen odd-parity autoionization levels have been assigned uniquely. Three-color three-step laser resonance ionization spectroscopy has been employed to investigate the autoionization spectra of atomic samarium in the energy region 50,330 - 51,160 cm⁻¹. The measurements were carried out in an atomic beam coupled to a linear time of flight mass spectrometer. Fifty-five odd-parity autoionization levels of atomic samarium in the above-mentioned energy region have been observed using three excitation schemes. Among these, fifty autoionization levels are new. The total angular momenta of eighteen odd-parity autoionization levels have been assigned uniquely.