Impact broadening and shift rates for the 6p²³P_J′ → 7s ³P_J^o transitions of lead induced by collisions with argon and helium

The collisional broadening and shift rate coefficients of the 283.39 nm (6p²³P₀ → 7s³P₁^o), 364.06 nm (6p²³P₁ → 7s³P₁^o), 368.45 nm (6p²³P₁ → 7s³P₀^o) and 405.90 nm (6p²³P₂ → 7s³P₁^o) Pb lines by He and Ar have been measured by fitting the experimental absorption line shapes to theoretical Voigt profiles. The absorption measurements were performed in a resistively heated, Pb loaded oven with an integrated dc noble gas discharge to produce also Pb atoms in the 6p²³P¹ and 6p²³P² metastable states. The diffusion of the metastable atoms out of the discharge zone into the neutral noble-gas atmosphere enabled the line-shape and shift measurement of the lines involving the metastable states without the influence of the discharge plasma.