Abstract
We extend the theory of velocity-selective laser optical pumping in atomic vapors, allowing for arbitrarily rapid velocity-changing collisional rates. The results yield a simple relationship between the line-shape areas of narrow spectroscopic features present in optically pumped samples. This relationship gives directly the ground- and excited-state velocity-changing collision rates and cross sections. We use the results to analyze the data from a laser optical-pumping experiment in vapor perturbed by Ar buffer gas.
- Received 10 February 1993
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.48.1409
©1993 American Physical Society