A complete stochastic theory of relaxation is developed in terms of a homogeneous equation for the averaged density matrix of a system immersed in a thermal bath.\nThis theory is then used as the basis of a new stochastic approach to the phenomenon of collisional broadening of spectral line shapes. Single photon and multiphoton processes are studied.\nThe features of a line shape are linked by simple expressions to the statistical properties of a stochastic hermitian Hamiltonian. The ordinary line shape predicted by Kubo's approach is generalized. The present approach predicts broadening as well as asymmetry and shift. A representation of line shapes in multiphoton processes by diagrams is also developed.
We present a theoretical approach to describe the dynamics of a system induced by stochastic couplings and undergoing dephasing processes. We consider a model frequently encountered in the study of non-radiative transitions in molecular systems, the case of two configurations stochastically coupled. In this model, we use a system whose excited radiant state is coupled stochastically to a non-radiant state of a lower electronic configuration. We show the line shape for stochastic non-diagonal perturbations to remain Lorentzian. This result is different from the case of frequency modulation where a transition from a Gaussian to a Lorentzian line shape can be observed.