Investigation of the neon 2p collisional excitation transfer processes viaCW laser collisionally induced fluorescence

We present a method for determining the 2p tin Paschen notation) collisiona l excitation transfer coefficients in noble gases using continuous-wave las er collisionally induced fluorescence (CW LCIF, i.e. fluorescence from an u pper level which is not that of the laser transition). The technique requir es isolation of the specific 2p coupling process under examination, whereby that process provides an important and quantifiable contribution to the LC IF This is achieved by selecting appropriate laser excitation and LCIF tran sitions. For a neon discharge operating at pressures ranging from 1.5 to 8. 0 Torr and currents from 1 to 10 mA, 2p coupling is by ground-state atom co llisions and the largest coupling exists between adjacent states. We show t hat in certain cases excitation transfer plays an important role in the exc ited-state kinetics.