Reactions in the afterglow of time modulated inductive discharges of Xe and I-2 mixtures

An investigation was conducted using absorption and emission spectroscopy o f the afterglow from rf inductive discharges in Xe/I-2 mixtures. RF power a t 11.5 MHz was supplied to coils surrounding a cylindrical discharge cell. Total pressures were between 0.8 and 5.3 Torr. Measurements were made as a function of radius and time following the termination of the discharge. Res ults presented here indicate that in the afterglow the XeI* excimer is form ed by highly excited It and ground state Xe. Evidence is also presented tha t ion-ion neutralization is a major precursor reaction for the formation of other excited species in the afterglow. (C) 1998 American Institute of Phy sics. [S0021-8979(98)03120-X].