Collision processes in Ne–O2 afterglows

Abstract
Optical emission and absorption spectroscopy has been used to study stationary afterglows in Ne–O2 mixtures. The quenching rate constants for Ne(3P0) and Ne(3P2) by O2 were found to be (2.1±0.3)×10−10 cm3 s−1 and (1.9±0.3)×10−10 cm3 s−1, respectively. O i lines corresponding to the 3 p3P → 3 s3S, 3 p5P → 3 s5 S, 4 p3P → 3 s3S, and 4 p5P → 3 s5S transitions plus the forbidden [O i] line due to the 2p4 1S0 → 2p4 1D2 transition were all apparent during the afterglow period. From the decay rate of the latter line were determined both the diffusion constant DP0 = 330±10 Torr cm2 s−1, and the two‐body quenching rate k = (2.1±0.3)×10−16 cm3 s of O(1S0) by Ne atoms.