We perform fully quantum mechanical calculations in the binary approximation of the emission and absorption profiles of the sodium $3s\text{−}3p$ and potassium $4s\text{−}4p$ resonance lines under the influence of a helium perturbing gas. We use carefully constructed potential energy surfaces and transition dipole moments to compute the emission and absorption coefficients at temperatures from $158\text{to}3000\mathrm{K}$. Contributions from quasibound states are included. The resulting red and blue wing profiles agree well with previous theoretical calculations and with experimental measurements.

• Received 27 September 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.73.012506