The scattering of line radiation—III. The source function

Abstract

After discussing the problems encountered in any attempt to interpret frequency-dependent source functions in terms of the population numbers, a method is developed for doing this to a certain class of frequency-dependent source functions. It is pointed out that, unlike the frequency-independent source functions, an analysis of this nature on the frequency-dependent source functions is not generally practicable and can be done in this case only by virtue of the particular form assumed for the absorption coefficient. Solutions in the form of source functions are presented and discussed for a semi-infinite uniform atmosphere for five different forms of frequency redistribution during the scattering event. The function ∫ ∞ 0 S( ν) φ( ν) dν is then calculated and subsequently is used to obtain the departure parameters of the populations of the energy states. The different population distributions through the atmosphere, that can be deduced from these quantities, are compared for the different cases of frequency redistribution used. Because of the nature of the results obtained, the feasibility of setting up iterative schemes to obtain frequency-dependent source functions for more complex problems is also considered.