Nuclear-quadrupole effects in the pressure broadening of molecular lines

We report the first experimental evidence of variable collision-broadening parameters within the hyperfine multiplet of a rotational line. A similar behavior is observed in the Stark pattern of one hyperfine line. All the experimental results, obtained on CH₃I, are explained in terms of a theoretical model accounting for line coupling. The same approach is successful in interpreting the literature data for the Stark lines of CH₃Br and previous null results for other molecules.