Absorption of Resonance Radiation in Mercury Vapor

The theories of absorption in mercury vapor of mercury resonance light of wave-length 2536.7A as formulated by Malinowski and H. A. Wilson are briefly reviewed. It is well established that the absorption coefficient for resonance radiation increases as the number of absorbing atoms decreases. This is probably due to a Doppler effect in the radiating vapor. To diminish the influence of the Doppler effect a jet of mercury vapor was used, and the resonance radiation coming from it was investigated. A series of measurements of the absorption coefficient of this light is given. The maximum atomic absorption coefficient observed is 10.22×${10}^{-13\mathrm{}}$, nine times as large as any previously observed. It is shown that Malinowski's assumptions are not in accord with the observed effects.