λ=2537 Å line from a low-pressure mercury discharge lamp emission profile and line absorption by a gas containing a mercury vapor

Abstract

By measuring the emission-line intensity of Hgi λ=2537 Å (6³ P→6¹ S) from a low-pressure mercurcury lamp, we have determined the dependence of the upper-level population on the discharge current and the mercury vapor density. From the radial profile of the intensity the spatial distribution function of the population has been determined to be the zero-th order decay mode for the trapped radiation. Line absorption by mercury vapor in a cell has been measured with various mercury densities and Lorentzian widths. The results are consistent with the upper-level population distribution as determined above. On the basis of these findings we calculate the emission-line profile and its change during the absorption in the absorption cell. The amount of absorption at an arbitrary depth of the absorption cell is calculated, and the optimum cold-spot temperature of the lamp of 40–50°C is suggested for the maximum absorption under the typical condition of the photo-CVD experiment.