Radiative lifetimes of argon II and krypton II levels

Radiative lifetimes of eleven argon II and krypton II levels have been determined using selective pulsed laser excitation and time resolved observation of the reemitted fluorescence. The laser excitation was performed from metastable Ar II and Kr II levels, populated by a pulsed low pressure hollow cathode discharge. The results are discussed with regard to trends in the behaviour of lifetimes along homologous series.