Natural linewidth

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-007782",
  "term": "Natural linewidth",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The minimum possible spectral linewidth of an atomic or molecular transition, determined by the intrinsic lifetime of the excited state. This broadening arises from the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, where a shorter excited state lifetime corresponds to a larger uncertainty in energy. It is a fundamental property of the transition and cannot be eliminated by experimental conditions.",
  "subject": "Analytical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "spectral band"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2021, 93, 647. 'Glossary of methods and terms used in analytical spectroscopy (IUPAC Recommendations 2019)' on page 755 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2019-0203)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/natural-linewidth/"
}