Measurements of experimental transition probabilities of 3p4p → 3p4s arrays in neutral argon.

We have determined the absolute transition probabilities of 27 emission lines of neutral argon originating from the 34→34 transition array in the wavelength region from 650 to 1100 nm using an argon-filled hollow cathode discharge lamp. The absolute transition probabilities have been deduced using the lifetimes of the upper levels and the measured branching fractions. Atomic oscillator strengths and relative line strengths for all the transitions have been computed using calculated transition probabilities. The experimentally determined transition probabilities are found to be in good agreement with that calculated in the intermediate coupling (IC) scheme. The comparison of experimentally determined transition probabilities with reported theoretical transition probabilities confirms that the IC scheme for the lower as well as for the upper levels seems to be a useful scheme for the level designation for the 34 to 34 configuration-based levels in argon. Furthermore, the measured relative line strengths are used to validate the -file sum rule for the 34→34 transition array of argon. The reported transition probabilities, oscillator strengths, and relative line strengths are compared with the published data, showing good agreement.