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Deexcitation of Rydberg states of He by He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev., A; (United States)

The total quenching cross sections for He(n /sup 1,3/S)(2 < or = n < or = 11) states by thermal collisions (600(+200,-100) K) with He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe have been measured. The main quenching mechanism is attributed to Penning ionization for lower n, and collisional angular-momentum transfer for highly excited states. Measured cross sections are of the order of 10/sup -15/ to 10/sup -14/ cm/sup 2/. The values for higher n states are much smaller than the geometrical cross section; this is explained by a relatively large energy spread between the S state and l > or = 1 states.

Research Organization:
Physics Department, Schuster Laboratory, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, England
OSTI ID:
5190302
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev., A; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev., A; (United States) Vol. 22:3; ISSN PLRAA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English