EXCIMER EMISSION-SPECTRA OF RARE-GAS MIXTURES USING EITHER A SUPERSONIC EXPANSION OR A HEAVY-ION-BEAM EXCITATION

Results related to the energy transfer in the rare gas mixtures are re ported for an electrical discharge excitation with plasma expansion an d a heavy-ion-beam excitation. Energy transfer from the lighter rare g ases to the heavier ones was observed in a very efficient way for both excitation mechanisms. Strong emission from excited atomic states, wh ich are possible candidates for new lasers, was observed for the elect rical discharge case. The broad-band emission of the discharge sources makes them appropriate for strong lamps in the VUV. Some comparisons of the two excitation mechanisms were discussed with respect to the en ergy deposition, the density of dimers and their vibrational relaxatio n.