Comparisons between direct and inverse approaches in problems of recovering the true profile of a spectral line

Abstract Computer-supported techniques are introduced in the evaluation of experimental data and obtaining the real profile of spectral lines. The direct and inverse approaches were used. The MINUIT program from the packets of CERN's library was used to solve direct problems. Tikhonov's regularization method was also applied to solve the same problems in an inverse manner. Model functions were introduced to check the applicability limitation of these methods and make a comparison between them as well. The advantages and disadvantages of these approaches were shown. The procedures were applied to the measured profiles of He II's spectral lines in a pulsed low-pressure arc. The chosen lines are He II Paschen-alpha (468.6 nm) in the visible region and Balmer-beta ( 121.5 nm ) in the VUV spectral region. The range of experimental errors was determined where both approaches have given reliable results. It was found that we can obtain the real profile of He II 468.6 nm and He II 121.5 nm spectral lines, using the regularization method, when the estimates of errors are less than 15% and 10%, respectively.