title: Spatial-asymmetry distribution of a saturated-absorption peak.
abstract: The amount of asymmetry of saturated-absorption peaks observed outside a cavity with two collinearly counter-propagating Gaussian beams is analyzed at different points in the cross section of the probe beam. Although the total beam exhibits a quasi-symmetric line shape, a spatial distribution of asymmetries with different amounts and signs is obtained versus the distance to the beam axis. A simple model taking account of pure focusing and defocusing effects induced by a saturated Gaussian beam leads to agreement between experiment and theory for the 5944-A neon line in the case of saturated-absorption spectroscopy.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Floch
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lenormand
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jézéquel
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Le Naour