Evolution of Spectrum Lines in an Inhomogeneous Atmosphere Illuminated by Nonstationary Energy Sources

The effect of the inhomogeneity of a scattering and absorbing medium of finite thickness on the evolution of spectrum lines which appear when it is illuminated by nonstationary energy sources is examined. Special attention is devoted to the role of scattering in the continuum spectrum. It is assumed that the inhomogeneity arises from the variation in the scattering coefficient with depth, which may be increasing or decreasing on approaching the illuminated boundary. Two types of nonstationarity of the external energy source are studied with a shape corresponding to δ(t), the Dirac function, and H(t), the unit step function of Heaviside. The question of using observed time changes in the profiles of spectrum lines for determining their optical characteristics, the frequency dependence of the external energy sources, and the physical properties of the illuminated medium itself, is studied.