Hyperfine structure of the 6d(2)D(3/2) level in trapped short-lived Ra-211,209(+) ions

The hyperfine structure of short-lived trapped Ra-211,209(+) ions was investigated by means of laser spectroscopy. The hyperfine structure constants A and B of the 6d(2)D(3/2) level were determined. There is a 2.2 standard deviation difference between the theoretical and the more accurate experimental value for the B coefficient of Ra-211(+). These measurements provide a test for the atomic theory required for upcoming experiments on atomic parity violation and atomic clocks. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.