Hyperfine-interaction-dependent 4s4p 3P2 lifetimes in Zn-like ions

Theoretical studies on hyperfine-interaction-dependent lifetimes of the 4s4p P-3(2) states of Zn-like ions are reported in this paper. A systematic investigation along the isoelectronic sequence shows that the lifetime of the 4s4p P-3(2) level is very sensitive to hyperfine interaction at the beginning of the sequence, but gets less sensitive going to the higher end. The intensity ratio between the 4s(2) S-1(0)-4s4p P-3(2) and the 4s4p P-3(1)-4s4p P-3(2) transitions was also investigated and it is shown that this ratio is very sensitive to hyperfine interaction. In some isotopes the two branches are dominated by transitions from different upper hyperfine levels. Our research also reveals that the hyperfine-induced electric dipole transitions contribute to the transitions of 4s(2) S-1(0)-4s4p P-3(2) at about the same level as, or even higher than, M2 transitions whenever the nucleus has a spin. This is true all along the isoelectronic sequence.