Lifetime and hyperfine structure of the first excited P13 state of palladium

The lifetime and hyperfine structure of the lowest-lying P13 state of the palladium atom have been measured by the level-crossing technique. Zero-field level crossings yield a value τ=8.7(9)×10-9 sec for the lifetime. From the position and linewidth of the single in termediate-field signal, we deduce |A|=132(6) Mc/sec and BA=-1.1(5), for Pd105. Breakdown of LS coupling and core polarization are included in a discussion of the hyperfine-structure constants.