GENERATION OF XE(6S'(3)P(0)) ATOMS BY OPTICAL-PUMPING IN A FLOW REACTOR - REACTIONS WITH N-2 AND HALOGEN-CONTAINING MOLECULES

The conversion of Xe(6s[3/2]2) metastable atoms to Xe(6s'[1/2]0) metas table atoms has been successfully accomplished in a flow reactor by op tical pumping in He carrier gas. The (Xe(P2))-P-3 concentration was de pleted by a factor of 8-10 with 12% conversion to the (Xe(P0))-P-3 con centration. The propensity for conservation of the (Xe+(P1/2))-P-2 ion -core is negligible in the reactions of (Xe(P0))-P-3 with halogen-cont aining molecules (RX), except for F2 and Br2. The emission spectra and the product branching ratios for XeX(B) formation from the reactions of (Xe(P0))-P-3 with RX molecules are similar to those from reactions of Xe(6p) atoms, which suggests a coupling between the Xe(6s') + RX an d the Xe(6p) + RX potentials in the entrance channel.