NI I transition probabilities and the solar nickel abundance

Absolute transition probabilities have been measured for 97 lines from 11 levels in Ni I using the beam-foil lifetime and branching-ratio technique. We have measured equivalent widths at the disk center from the Preliminary Edition of the Kitt Peak Solar Atlas for 49 of the above lines. An empirical solar curve of growth has been constructed to test the consistency of the transition probabilities and equivalent widths. The solar Ni abundance has been computed (1) by matching the equivalent widths of the 10 weakest lines, and (2) by fitting the profiles of 19 lines. Both methods agree within experimental uncertainty and yield an average photospheric Ni abundance of 6.28 + 0.09. Subject headings: abundances, solar - transition probabilities