Impact broadening and shift rates for the 6p(2) P-3(J ') -> 7s P-3(j)o transitions of lead induced by collisions with argon and helium

The collisional broadening and shift rate coefficients of the 283.39 nm (6p (2) Po-3 --> 7s (3)p(1)(0)), 364.06 nm (6p(2) P-3(1) --> 7s P-3(1)o), 368.4 5 nm (6p(2) P-3(1) --> 7s P-3(0)o) and 405.90 nm (6p(2) P-3(2) --> 7s P-3(1 )o) Pb lines by He and Ar have been measured by fitting the experimental ab sorption line shapes to theoretical Voigt profiles. The absorption measurem ents were performed in a resistively heated, Pb loaded oven with an integra ted de noble gas discharge to produce also Pb atoms in the 6p2 3P1 and 6p2 3P2 metastable states. The diffusion of the metastable atoms out of the dis charge zone into the neutral noble-gas atmosphere enabled the line-shape an d shift measurement of the lines involving the metastable states without th e influence of the discharge plasma.