Electronic-state distributions of Ne* formed by energy transfer from He(2(1)S, 2(3)S) to Ne at thermal energy

The excitation transfer from He(2(1)S, 2(3)S) to Ne at thermal energy has b een studied by observing Ne* emissions from the excited Ne(2p(5)nl) stales in a He flowing afterglow. The Ne(5s, 5s', 4d) states in the 20.56-20.70 cV region are produced through the He(2(1)S)/Ne reaction, while the Ne(3p. 3p ', 4s. 4s', 3d) states in the 18.38-20.05 eV region are formed through the He(23S)/Ne reaction. The initial formation rates and electronic-state distr ibutions of each Ne* state are determined. The excitation-transfer mechanis m is discussed on the basis of a reported theoretical prediction from the L andau-Zener curve-crossing model.