Observation of theF3metastable states of neutral barium

The ${}_{}{}^3{}_{}{}^{}F$ metastable states of the $5d^2$ configuration of neutral barium have been observed in an atomic beam. As far as can be determined from the literature, these states have not been observed previously. Their $g$ factors have been measured, and the transmission characteristics of the apparatus indicate a lifetime of at least ${10}^{-3\mathrm{}}$ sec.