Collision and static widths of self-broadened line shapes in optically saturated high-density atomic vapor

Abstract

We study the frequency derivatives of selective reflection from high-density rubidium vapor using a hole-burning technique. Saturation dips are observed inside the self-broadened line shapes. The line self-broadening is a combination of static width and collision width. By analyzing saturation dips, we can separate power broadening and collision width. Our experimental results support the theory of inhomogeneous dipole-dipole induced broadening of transitions in a dense atomic gas, published by J. A. Leegwater and S. Mukamel [Phys. Rev. A 49 (1994) 146].