Calculation of Stark-induced absorption on the 6s6p ³P₁ - 6s² ¹S₀ transition in Hg

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We carry out relativistic many-body calculations of the Stark-induced absorption coefficient on the 254-nm 6s6p ³P₁ (F=1/2) - 6s² ¹S₀ line of ¹⁹⁹Hg atom, the effect considered before by Lamoreaux and Fortson using a simple central field estimate [Phys. Rev. A 46, 7053 (1992)]. The Stark-induced admixing of states of opposite parity opens additional M1 and E2 transition channels. We find that the resulting M1-E1 absorption dominates over E2-E1 absorption. The value of the E2-E1 absorption coefficient depends strongly on the details of treatment of the correlation problem. As a result, our numerical values differ substantially from those of the earlier central field calculation. Reliable calculation of this effect can enable a useful experimental check on the optical technique being used to search for a permanent electric dipole moment of the ¹⁹⁹Hg atom.