Narrowing of Level-Crossing Signals by Radiative Transfer in Diffuse Reflection. II. Experiments on the6P13Level of Mercury

Abstract

We present experimental verification of a certain number of theoretical predictions given in the preceding paper. The narrowing of the different Hanle-effect signals by multiple diffusion is clearly weaker if observed using the light scattered in the backward direction than if observed using the laterally scattered light. This narrowing can become very small if the vapor is illuminated with light whose frequency is in the wings of the Doppler absorption width of the vapor. The values of the ratios of the widths and intensities of the different Hanle-effect signals that were measured are in good agreement with the values predicted by theory.