Analytically Solvable Problems in Radiative Transfer. II

Abstract

In the previous paper, the Biberman-Holstein integral equation was solved for a slab and for all line shapes of interest in the limit of high optical depth. The eigenfunctions and eigenvalues obtained are used for the general calculation of the stationary number density in the excited state, when collisional excitation and deexcitation takes place, when excitation takes place by absorption of external radiation, or by both combined. General expressions are given for the line shape of a spectral line emitted by an optically dense slab, showing typical broadening and self-reversal.