Abstract:

Our initial goal was to investigate the broadening of the absorption spectra caused by shinning a Ti:Saphire laser into a Rubidium cell. The ultimate objective, time permitting, was to observe the fine and hyperfine structure of Rb. Our experiment changed course as we attempted to broaden the absorption spectra to a width greater than the laser width. By increasing the temperature of the cell, we had hoped to increase the pressure in the cell and caused spectral broadening due to collision broadening. However, we were unable to increase the temperature to cause a significant increase in pressure.

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