Resonance Broadening of the Sodium D-Lines in Absorption

The resonance broadening of the sodium D-lines in absorption was determined by measuring the contour of the line wings directly. The vapor pressures of sodium ranged from 10-3 to 75 mm Hg, with negligible amount of foreign gases. Over nearly the entire range, the half-intensity width varied linearly with the density of the absorbing atoms; i.e. Δν1/2/N = 0.78 x 10-7 sec-1cm3 --the constant being about twice that predicted by Houston, but much less than the experimental result by Hughes and LLoyd. Above 5 mm pressure, the half-intensity width appeared to increase slightly faster than N. Somewhat in contradiction to theory, the relative width, Δν1/2,s/Δν1/2,1' was 1.16. The natural width measured was, within experimental error, consistent with previous values. The inverse square contour for the absorption coefficient was satisfactory up to 5 mm Hg; beyond this pressure an inverse cube contour fitted better. No definite evidence of van der Waal force was observed at high pressures; likewise, no appreciable shifts and asymmetries. MgO windows were used and the temperature determination was made reliable.