Measurement of the spin-exchange and chemical ionization rate constants in collisions of polarized metastable 23 S 1 helium atoms with 32 S 1/2 sodium atoms

Abstract

Experimental data on the spin-exchange rate constants for the He(23S1)-Na(32S1/2) system are reported for the first time. Measurements show that the spin-exchange rate constant is Cse = (23 ± 11) × 10−10 cm3 s−1 and the chemical ionization rate constant is Csi = (29 ± 14) × 10−10 cm3 s−1 at a temperature of 420 K. The results are compared with the data calculated from the rate constants.