Electronic-State Distributions of Ne* Formed by Energy Transfer from He(21S, 23S) to Ne at Thermal Energy

Abstract

The excitation transfer from He(21S, 23S) to Ne at thermal energy has been studied by observing Ne* emissions from the excited Ne(2p5nl) states in a He flowing afterglow. The Ne(5s,5s′,4d) states in the 20.56–20.70 eV region are produced through the He(21S)/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 distributions of each Ne* state are determined. The excitation-transfer mechanism is discussed on the basis of a reported theoretical prediction from the Landau-Zener curve-crossing model.