Observation of complete collisional frequency redistribution of laser light scattered by sodium atoms

Abstract

The spectral distribution of light scattered from sodium atoms present in helium gas at high temperature and density was investigated. The authors compare the spectral distribution of the exciting laser line, the fluorescence spectrum and the absorption lineshape. Agreement is found with the theories that predict that the fluorescence and absorption lineshapes should be equal and independent of the exciting laser lineshape under these experimental conditions. The scattered radiation intensity varied linearly with laser power intensity up to 500 kW cm-2.