The influence of krypton on the 2536.52 line of mercury

Abstract

The 2536.52 ( 1 S 0 - 3 P 1 ) line of mercury has been studied in absorption in the presence of krypton up to a density of 190 Am. Investigations of the shape and the shift of the line have been carried out. Already at very low densities three satellites could be observed at distances of about 34,73 and 128 cm 1 to the violet of the original resonance line. With increase of krypton density the whole pattern shifts to the red. As long as the satellites are clearly distinct the distances between the maxima remain approximately unaltered; at the same time the intensity of the satellites increases. Gradually the pattern changes: first the satellite at 34 cm 1 disappears into the background, then the satellite at 73 cm 1 is over-shadowed by the outer one, and finally, above a density of about 150 Am. the band at 128 cm 1 begins to absorb the original resonance line. The absorption measured in the peak of the outer satellite, as well as that at the violet side increases proportional to the krypton density up to 60 Am; a similar phenomenon was found for the red wing of the principal line, from 100 cm 1 to at least 300 cm 1 from the unperturbed line position, up to 120 Am. The measurements were carried out with unsaturated mercury vapour. Because of the possibility of adsorption of mercury at the steel walls and in view of the qualitative discrepancy between our results for argon concerning the integrated absorption per atom and those of Strijland and Nanassy, the experimental values of the integrated absorption coefficient presented in this paper will not be discussed here.