Study of electron-impact excitation of metastable Ne (2p(5)3s P-3(2)) substates using laser-induced fluorescence

Electron-impact excitation of metastable 2p(5)3s P-3(2) substates has been studied by means of laser-induced fluorescence. The polarization of the flu orescence induced by polarized laser light has been used to determine the r elative population of magnetic substates. Comparison with two recent calcul ations ( R-matrix and RDW) is made. The apparent population of the magnetic substates at energies far above the excitation thresholds of higher-lying states is strongly influenced by cascading. Below 20 eV the experimental va lues show the correct tendency towards the threshold laws for LS coupling. Apart from depolarization problems associated with the experimental method there remain significant discrepancies between the R-matrix and the RDW pre dictions.