2003A&A...399..343B

Radiative lifetimes of 6 levels belonging to the 4f⁵(⁶H°, ⁶F°)5d configuration of Sm III have been measured for the first time using a time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence technique. Experimental data have been compared with semi-empirical calculations. The agreement is excellent for 4 levels with ⁶F° as a parent term. Larger discrepancies (53 and 37%) are observed for 2 levels with ⁶H° and ⁶F°, respectively, as a parent term and are explainable by strong mixing and cancellation effects occurring in the line strength calculations which are responsible of ``instabilities'' occurring in the lifetimes considered as a function of J value within the term. Branching ratios for the lines depopulating the levels of interest have been measured by Fourier transform spectroscopy. A first set of oscillator strengths has been deduced for this ion.