Pressure broadening and shift of the potassium D1 transition by the noble gases and N2, H2, HD, D2, CH4, C2H6, C3H8, and n-C4H10 with comparison to other alkali rates

The pressure broadening and shift rates for the potassium D1(42P1/2←42S1/2) transition with the noble gases and 3He, H2, HD, D2, N2, CH4, C2H6, C3H8, and n-C4H10 were obtained for pressures up to 80 Torr and at a temperature of 55 °C by means of laser absorption spectroscopy. The collisional broadening rate, γL, for He, 3He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, H2, HD, D2, N2, CH4, C2H6, C3H8, and n-C4H10 are 13.08, 17.46, 6.14, 19.45, 16.64, 20.02, 22.15, 19.36, 17.47, 17.78, 29.35, 26.63, 27.27, and 27.85 MHz/Torr, respectively. The uncertainty in the broadening rates is typically less than 1.6%. The corresponding pressure induced shift rates, δ, are 1.63, 6.82, −1.27, −6.44, −5.42, −6.54, −5.34, −5.10, −4.70, −6.80, −7.41, −8.32, −8.59, and −8.80 MHz/Torr with a uncertainty of less than 2.4%. A comparison with the other alkali D1 broadening cross-sections is presented.

► The unknown collisional rates for rubidium and buffer gases have been measured. ► A comparison between the broadening of Cs, Rb, K, Na, and Li has shown. ► The cross-sections and the polarizability have been compared.