Rubidium D1 and D2 atomic lines' pressure broadened by ground-state helium atoms

Full quantum calculations are performed to determine the spectral broadening of the rubidium D-1 and D-2 lines induced by collisions with helium perturbers. The potential curves of the low-lying RbHe molecular states, as well as the corresponding transition dipole moments, are generated theoretically with ab initio methods based on SA-CASSCF-MRCI calculations, including the spin-orbit effects. The absorption and emission coefficients at wavelengths lying between 650 and 950 nm and temperatures ranging from 100 to 3000 K are determined. The absorption profile reveals it is dominated by the free-free transitions, whereas the emission spectral shape arises from the free-free and bound-free transitions. The resulting red- and blue-wing profiles are compared with previous experimental and theoretical works.