Investigations in the field of quantum optics very often requires a molecular simulation of transport phenomena. This paper presents a discrete kinetic model to deal with the quantum optical problem of hole burning. Based on a full discretization of the velocity space, Boltzmann-like equations are established to govern the temporal evolution of heavily disturbed Maxwell distributions of optically excited particles diffusing in a buffer gas. These model equations involve elastic collisions and

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... e interaction of photons with three-level atoms by taking into account the Doppler effect. Important features of the developed model are the realistic simulation of the relaxation process and the existence of a stable and unique equilibrium solution. CP585, Rarefied Gas Dynamics: 22 nd International Symposium, edited by T. J. Bartel and M. A. Gallis