Satellite bands in the spectrum of mercury in the presence of argon, krypton, and xenon

Abstract

New measurements of satellites of mercury spectral lines in the presence of argon, krypton, and xenon are reported. While a few satellites appear on some lines, not all lines show distiguishable intensity maxima in the continuum adjacent to the pressure broadened line. Features previously reported in the case of the 2536 Å resonance line are confirmed for argon and krypton. New results are reported for xenon. In addition, detailed measurements of the Hg–Ar, Hg–Kr, and Hg–Xe vibrational spectra that appear near 2536 Å are reported and partially analyzed. Evidence pointing to the origin of the 2536 Å violet satellites as due to collisions between free atoms rather than bound pairs is also discussed.