Observations of quantum-mechanical interference effects in the wings of electron-impact-broadened lines of ionized emitters

Observation of previously predicted asymmetries in otherwise Lorentzian wings of electron-impact-broadened lines of ionized emitters in a high-density plasma is reported. By eliminating the possibilities of instrumental and experimental effects, these asymmetries are explained by an interference mechanism involving the perturber-radiation-field interaction. The consequences of this mechanism in opacity calculations in dense plasmas are discussed.