Abstract
The electron-photon delayed coincidence technique has been used to measure the lifetimes of excited states in He, Ne, Ar and CO that decay with the emission of VUV photons. The states with their measured lifetimes are: He, 51P 7.4+or-0.4 ns, 61P 14.0+or-0.3 ns, 71P 21.6+or-1.2 ns; Ne, 3s(3/2)1 20.5+or-0.7 ns; Ar, 4s(3/2)1 7.9+or-0.6 ns; CO,C 1 Sigma +v=0<or=1.5+or-0.3 ns.