Natural broadening

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-007774",
  "term": "Natural broadening",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The intrinsic broadening of spectral lines due to the finite lifetime of the excited states involved in a spectroscopic transition. This phenomenon is a consequence of the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, where a shorter excited state lifetime results in a broader energy uncertainty. It represents the minimum possible linewidth for a given transition.",
  "subject": "Analytical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "lifetime"
  ],
  "references": [
    "Orange Book, 2nd ed., p. 121 (https://media.iupac.org/publications/analytical_compendium/)",
    "PAC, 1985, 57, 1453. 'Nomenclature, symbols, units and their usage in spectrochemical analysis - V: Radiation sources (Recommendations 1985)' on page 1463 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198557101453)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/natural-broadening/"
}