MEASUREMENT OF THE SELF-BROADENING RATE COEFFICIENTS OF THE CESIUM RESONANCE LINES

The self-broadening rate coefficients of the cesium D-1 [6(2)S(1/2)-6(2)P(1/2)] and D-2 [6(2)S(1/2)-6(2)P(3/2)] resonance lines are determined from the 6(2)P(1/2) --> 6(2)P(3/2), 6(2)P(3/2) --> 7(2)D(3/2) and 6(2)P(3/2) --> 7(2)D(5/2) transition lineshapes, which are mapped out using single-mode cw lasers. The self-broadening rates are found from Voigt function fits (including hyperfine structure) to the experimental lineshapes. Our measured D-1 and D-2 broadening coefficients, k(br)(D-1) = (5.7 +/- 1.0) x 10(-7) cm(3) sec(-1) and k(br)(D-2) = (6.7 +/- 1.1) x 10(-7) cm(3) sec(-1), are compared to previous experimental and theoretical values in the literature. The present D-2 broadening coefficient is smaller, and the D-1 broadening coefficient is larger, than theoretical values.