Temperature-dependent depolarization cross sections of the 5d6p ³P₁ and ³D₁ states of laser-ablated Ba in He gas in the range 10–300 K

We have applied the laser-ablation technique for the study of depolarization effects of the 5d6p ³P₁ and ³D₁ states of Ba with He gas in the wide temperature range of 10–300 K. The depolarization cross sections of both states have been found to have a positive temperature dependence, indicating that the responsible interaction is not a van der Waals type. A tentative and qualitative explanation for the difference of the temperature dependence between 5d6p ³P₁ and ³D₁ is given in terms of electron density distribution.