Atoms and Radiation: Lineshapes

This lecture covers the concept of lineshapes in atoms and radiation, focusing on topics such as linewidths of spectral lines, lifetime broadening, natural linewidth, damping, Lorentzian lineshape, and broadening mechanisms. The instructor explains the physical origins of spectral line broadening, including contributions from monochromatic radiation, instrumental broadening, and damping terms. Various mechanisms such as Lorentzian lineshape, Voigt profile, and Doppler broadening are discussed in detail, along with examples from different laser materials. The lecture also delves into the effects of elastic and inelastic collisions on lineshapes, emphasizing the importance of understanding these phenomena in the study of atomic and radiation physics.