Precision Measurement of the $1\mathit{s}2{\mathit{p}\mathit{}{}_{}{}^3{}_{}{}^{}P}_2-{}_{}{}^3{}_{}{}^{}P_1^{}{}_{}{}^{}$ Fine Structure Interval in Heliumlike Fluorine

Using Doppler-tuned fast-beam laser spectroscopy with co- and counterpropagating beams we have measured the three hyperfine components of the $1s2p{}_{}{}^3{}_{}{}^{}P_2^{}{}_{}{}^{}-{}_{}{}^3{}_{}{}^{}P_1^{}{}_{}{}^{}$ fine structure interval in ${}^{19}{\mathrm{F}}^{7+}$. Our result for the centroid is $957.6679\left(10\right){\mathrm{cm}}^{-1\mathrm{}}$. Allowing for the hyperfine interaction the “pure” fine structure interval is determined to be $957.8730\left(12\right){\mathrm{cm}}^{-1\mathrm{}}$. This result tests $O\left({\alpha }^7{m}_e{c}^2\right)$ quantum electrodynamic corrections to high precision calculations which will be used to obtain a new value for the fine structure constant from the fine structure of helium.