The results of saturated absorption spectroscopy of the intercombination S-
1(0)-P-3(1), transition of magnesium atoms at 457 nm in an external absorpt
ion cell are presented. A laser system based on a Ti:Sa laser with frequenc
y doubling in a LBO nonlinear crystal was used in these experiments. Satura
ted absorption resonances of magnesium in an external cell at the S-1(0)-P-
3(1), transition have been obtained for the first time. Pressure broadening
of resonances equal to 12.5 +/- 1.5 kHz/mTorr has been measured. (C) 2001
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