Abstract

It is shown that the dependence of relaxational processes on radiation intensity associated with the finiteness of correlation time τ_c of relaxational perturbations is to a great extent defined by the statistics of these perturbations. Generalized master equations (GME’s) that take into account the nonvanishing correlation time τ_c are obtained by using the characteristic operator method. With the Gaussian statistics assumption for adiabatic perturbations causing a stochastic transition-frequency modulation, these GME’s are used to reveal the main features of the free-induction-decay rate dependence on radiation power. Good agreement with the experiment of DeVoe and Brewer [ Phys. Rev. Lett. 50, 1263 ( 1983)] is obtained. Our preceding theory [ Opt. Commun. 52, 279 ( 1984)] based on the correlation (Born) approximation closely agrees with the results of this paper at τ_c/T₂ ≪ 1 and T₁/T₂ < 3.67.

© 1986 Optical Society of America

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