On the non-polarization and quasi-polarization spectroscopy of anisotropic media

Experimental distortions of the absorption contour shape, related to non-polarization spectroscopy of anisotropic media, have been considered. These distortions lead to incorrect results for three of the main spectroscopic parameters: intensity, half-width, and shape of the spectral contour. The distortions increase with increasing optical density but even for moderate density, they can be drastic and lead to artifacts. Such distortions can also occur in polarization spectroscopy if the vector E (or H for magnetic-dipole transitions) of the incident radiation is not properly matched to the vector of corresponding transition moment (quasi-polarization). Quantitative estimates for optical and magnetic-resonance spectra are presented, and compared with previous works.