Resonances in Alkali Negative-Ion Photodetachment and Electron Affinities of the Corresponding Neutrals

Abstract
Two techniques of laser photodetachment spectroscopy have been utilized to provide the first accurate experimental determinations of alkali-atom electron affinities. Strong resonances corresponding to autodetaching states are found near the first P2 levels of the neutral alkalis. These resonances are by far the narrowest observed to date in electron-atom systems.