In a paper by Slater a new theory of radiation is discussed and the following explanation of the breadths of spectral lines is given: “An atom in the ith. state has a probability Pi of suffering in unit time a transition. Thus there is a probability Pi that the vibrations of each of the oscillators will simultaneously cease. But we shall assume that, in addition to this probability Pi of ceasing its oscillation altogether, each oscillator has also an independent probability Pj of suffering an interruption in which it ceases its oscillation as if it were leaving the state, but immediately begins again as if it were entering the same state” (i.e. with an arbitrary phase difference). “This term Pj is the same as the probability that an atom in the jth state will leave that state.” The total probability of interruption of vibration is thus (Pi + Pj) which is symmetrical with regard to the two end states. This makes the breadths of absorption and emission lines equal and so satisfies Kirchhoff's law.