Radiation trapping of the Hg 185 nm resonance line.

Reports that the decay rate of the Hg 6[sup 1]P[sub 1] level was measured as a function of cold spot temperature and buffer gas pressure in cylindrical, sealed fused silica cells. Use of a time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence experiment with multi-step excitation to measure the decay rate; Study of cold spot temperatures from 25 to 100 degrees Celsius; Monte Carlo simulations of radiation transport in cells.