Electronic energy transfer in argon--xenon mixtures excited by electron bombardment

The time dependences of the vacuum--ultraviolet emissions from xenon-doped argon are measured following pulsed excitation by a low intensity e-beam. The argon continuum at approx.1250 A is observed to be quenched in electronic energy transfer collisions with xenon atoms, forming Xe* (1P1), with the rate constant (4.39 +- 0.05) x 10-10 cm3/sec. The xenon continuum near 1470 A is found to be due to collision induced radiation from Xe* (3P2) with the rate constant (3.2 +- 0.7) x 10-16 cm3/sec, as well as radiation from high vibrational levels of Xe2* (0/sub u/+) which is formed from Xe* (3P1) and Xe(1S0) with the rate constant (2.1 +- 0.2) x 10-31 cm6/sec with argon as the third body. Collisional de-excitation of Xe* (3P1) to Xe* (3P2) by argon is observed with the rate constant (1.5 +- 0.3) x 10-14 cm3/sec. The xenon continuum at approx.1720 A is formed from Xe* (3P2) and Xe(1S0) with the rate constant (2.15 +- 0.25) x 10-32 cm6/sec with argon as the third body