Electronic energy transfer in He/sup /(2 1S)+Ne collisions: Propensity for odd-J levels of Ne/sup /(5s,5s',4d)

Electronic energy transfer in the He((2 1S)+Ne system was studied in a nozzle-beam--scattering-cell experiment in which the visible emission of product Ne( was measured. Relative populations and cross sections of individual Ne( levels in the 5s, 5s', and 4d manifolds were obtained at collision energies of 0.06 and 0.16 eV. The 3s2 Paschen level is the major product at both energies. In general, the formation of odd-J levels is favored and a qualitative explanation of this effect is proposed