Collisional dynamics of the first excited states of neon in the 590-670 nm region using laser optogalvanic spectroscopy

A mathematical rate equation model, incorporating the various processes contributing to the generation of optogalvanic signals in a discharge plasma, has been used to analyze the time-resolved waveforms of neon in the wavelength region 590–670 nm. Amplitudes, decay rates and the appropriate instrumental time constant have been determined using a non-linear least-squares fit of the observed time-resolved optogalvanic waveforms. q 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved