Least squares analysis of Voigt-shaped lines

The retrieval of the Lorentzian width, intensity, and position of Voigt-shaped lines obtained with an instrument of finite spectral resolution by spectral curve fitting and the use of non-linear, least-squares techniques are described. The accuracy with which the values of these parameters can be retrieved was tested by analyzing synthetic spectra to which random noise was added. Some of the requirements of the experimental data to obtain good retrievals are identified.