A data acquisition system is described that is designed to stabilize cooling and probe rates to maximize detection sensitivity and minimize possible systematic errors due to correlations between drifting experimental conditions and varying drive parameters. Experimental parameters that affect the Yb171 5D3/2 hyperfine state preparation and detection efficiency are characterized and optimized. A set of wait times for optimal sampling of the D3/2(F=2) lifetime is chosen and used to measure that lifetime with high statistical sensitivity. A systematic variation in this lifetime seems to be apparent. The source of the variation was not identified, but ion number and cooling rate appear to be ruled out. A net determination is made of tau=61.8ms+-(0.6)_stat+-(6.4)_sys which is significantly longer than other measurements of the same quantity. An alternate shelving scheme is proposed that would provide S-D state discrimination for Yb even isotopes as well as improved sensitivity for D state hyperfine discrimination in odd isotopes.
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