The shape of spectral lines: widths and equivalent widths of the Voigt profile

In this work, we present a new lineshape computing method. The lineshape, c ommonly known as the Voigt profile, is a convolution of the Gaussian and Lo rentzian profiles. Moreover, we present a simple approach to describe the w idth of the Voigt profile as a function of the relative contributions of Ga ussian and Lorentzian broadening. A novel expression of the equivalent widt h of Lorentz shapes can be calculated from numerical approximation. (C) 200 0 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.