Depolarized interaction-induced light scattering in mercury vapor: The low-density spectrum

Abstract
We have measured the depolarized interaction-induced-light-scattering spectrum (DILS) of a metal vapor at low density. In this case, for mercury at temperatures T=673 and 723 K, the spectra show a large dimer band and an exponential wing. Comparison with theoretical calculations shows the inadequacy of the present knowledge of the pair potential of mercury and the possibility of using the DILS for the determination of the pair potential itself in metal vapors.