The mean probability of photon capture of resonance radiation in atomic absorption spectroscopy

The mean probability of photon capture Psi, obtained via an approximation to the complementary escape factor Lambda, for calcium and zinc resonance lines at 4226.73 and 2138.56 Angstrom have been determined from their atomic absorption measurements. Calculations are performed for Gaussian, Lorentzian, and Voigt spectral line shapes. Tabulations and graphical plots of the mean probability of photon capture, W, with the optical depth in the center of Doppler profile, tau(D), and the number density of free atoms in the ground state N, are provided. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd.