Abstract
We have studied trapping of resonance radiation under conditions of moderate to low line-center optical depths in sodium-argon mixtures. We report measured effective radiative decay rates, which are compared with predictions of the Post [Phys. Rev. A 33, 2003 (1986)] and the Milne [J. Lond. Math. Soc. 1, 40 (1926)] theories of radiation trapping. These theories are expected to be valid for spectral lines with low to moderate line-center optical depths, where the commonly used Holstein [Phys. Rev. 72, 1212 (1947); 83, 1159 (1951)] theory of radiation trapping is expected to break down. The experiment was performed under conditions in which the trapping was dominated by either the Doppler-broadened Gaussian or by the impact-broadened Lorentzian line-shape function. The measured effective radiative decay rates agree well with those predicted by the Milne and Post theories over the range of low to moderate optical depth.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 6145-6154 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Physical Review A |
Volume | 41 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1990 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics