440 BELL SYSTEM TECHNICAL JOURNAL 



the lines should depend on the probability that the force exerted by 

 the incident radiation on the electrons of a randomly chosen molecule 

 exceed a threshold value which is determined by the condition of its 

 neighbors. The apparent smallness of this probability would explain 

 the observed weakness of the Raman lines. 



It would seem that this threshold, and the probability of its being 

 exceeded, might prove helpful in interpreting the energy threshold and 

 transition probability which are used in wave mechanics. 



Acknowledgment 



In conclusion, I wish to express my thanks to those of my colleagues 

 who by discussions and suggestions have contributed to the preparation 

 of this paper, and in particular to Mr. L. A. MacColl for some valuable 

 suggestions on the mathematical side. 



