Beam-laser measurements of the lifetimes of the 6p levels in YbII

Results are presented for the lifetimes of the 6p levels in YbII, viz., 8.07{plus_minus}0.09 ns for the j=(1)/(2) level and 6.15{plus_minus}0.09 ns for the j=(3)/(2) level. These are compared with previous experiments and calculations. Our values are in excellent agreement with previous experiments, but show a significant improvement in precision. The results from previous calculations show a rather wide scatter but the experimental values are still consistent with the means of the calculated values within that scatter. However, there does still appear to be a need for a more complete calculation for the Yb{sup +} ion. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}