Resonance Fluorescence and Resonance Raman Scattering: Lifetimes in Molecular Iodine

We report a significantly shortened scattering lifetime in molecular iodine when the frequency of a single-mode 5145-\AA{}A incident laser is tuned away from resonance with a discrete transition. This observation of a shortened scattering time is indicative of what has been conventionally called a Raman process. Off-resonance lifetime measurements, as reported here, may provide a means of determining the relative contribution to the absorption linewidth of homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadening.