Question

What are the different types of broadening processes?

   What are the different types of broadening processes?

Engineering Physics

Engineering Physics

Jyotsna Sharma,… 1st Edition

Chapter 14, Problem 4

Instant Answer

Solved by Expert Ajay Singhal

08/01/2021

Step 1

This process is caused by the relative motion of the light source and the observer. It is named after Christian Doppler, who first proposed this effect. In Doppler broadening, the frequency or wavelength of light changes due to the motion of the source. Show more…

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What are the different types of broadening processes?

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Key Concepts

Natural Broadening

Natural broadening arises due to the inherent uncertainty in the energy levels of quantum states, as dictated by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Since excited states have a finite lifetime before decaying, the energy associated with these states is not precisely defined, leading to a spread in the emitted or absorbed frequencies.

Doppler Broadening

Doppler broadening is a consequence of the relative motion between the source of radiation and the observer. Thermal motion or bulk movement of atoms and molecules causes shifts in the observed frequency of the radiation, resulting in a broadened spectral line. This effect increases with temperature as the velocities of the particles become more varied.

Pressure (Collisional) Broadening

Pressure broadening, also known as collisional broadening, occurs due to interactions between particles such as atoms or molecules when they collide. These collisions disturb the energy levels of the particles involved, altering the frequency at which they absorb or emit radiation, and thus broadening the spectral line. The extent of this broadening increases with the density and pressure of the medium.

Instrumental Broadening

Instrumental broadening is related to the limitations of the measurement apparatus used to detect and analyze light. Every spectroscopic instrument has a finite resolution, which can smear out or broaden the spectral lines measured, independent of the physical processes occurring in the source.

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