Cascade Hanle effect in the 53D3–53P2 transition in cadmium

A signal due to the crossing of levels in zero magnetic field was observed in the λ=361 nm (5³D₃–5³P₂ transition) spontaneous radiation from the lower laser level of a Cd I pulse laser. The level-crossing signal had a profile close to the difference between two Lorentzian profiles, one of which was due to the decay of the upper laser level and the other to the decay of the lower laser level. The lifetimes of these levels and the cross sections of the depolarizing collisions with neon were determined.