Experimental observations of the profiles and relative intensities of He I 23P-43D(λ 4471) and 23P-43F(λ 4470) at low electron densities

Abstract

Accurate profiles of the astrophysically important He I 4471 AA transition and its associated forbidden component have been obtained for the first time in a laboratory plasma of independently known electron density at electron density values comparable to those in B-class stars. Comparison of the experimental profiles with the most recent and accurate theoretical predictions shows very good agreement for the halfwidth and profile of the allowed component and for the profile of the far wing of the forbidden component, but a very considerable discrepancy exists between theoretical and experimental values of the intensity near the peak of the forbidden component.