Abstract
A new light-induced drift effect is discussed in which a white-light source separates a gas mixture containing a single optically active (absorbing) species and a buffer gas which does not interact with the light. A three-level model with one upper level and two closely spaced lower levels is used for the active atoms, and strong collisions with the more abundant surrounding buffer gas atoms are assumed. The intensity spectrum in the vapor (including the effects of hyperfine pumping), and the resulting drift velocity are calculated as a function of optical depth into the vapor.

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