Lifetime Measurements in La II with the Beam-Laser Method

Cascade-free lifetime measurements of they3F2 3 40, thez1D20and thez3D1 2 30levels in La II have been made with the beam-laser technique. Our results, together with other recent lifetime measurements in La II, are compared with lifetimes inferred from transition probabilities measured by Corliss and Bozman (CB). An energy-dependent correction factor to the CB lifetimes is found, indicating a misjudgement of the effective temperature in Corliss' and Bozman's arc. A new value of the La solar photosphere abundance based on six transitions in La II, is presented.