INVESTIGATION OF A DENSE HIGHLY EXCITED NEON PLASMA

Neon was excited intensely with an electron beam. The densities of the excited species Ne2+, Ne(3p), Ne(P-3(2)) and Ne2(3SIGMA) were investi gated using absorption spectrometry. Varying the density of the primar y excitation caused large changes in the temporal development of the e xicted species Ne2+ and Ne(P-3(2)), while the density of Ne2(3SIGMA) r emained constant. The results are reproduced by a kinetic model. The l imits for efficient production and maximum attainable density of rare gas excimers with respect to the input energy are discussed.