[en] A procedure is proposed for quantitative computation of the parameters of quantum-beat signals during nonresonance excitation of helium atoms by electron collision. The results of the computations are compared with experimental data obtained by kinetic spectroscopy. Conditions for choosing the optimum geometry of experiments to determine atomic constants are analyzed. From the change in the percentage of modulation of the spontaneous emission we measured the dependence of the degree of polarization of the radiation corresponding to the 4¹D₂-2¹P₁ transition on the energy of the exciting electrons. The contribution of the decay of alignment to the total intensity of the afterglow is estimated. 11 refs., 4 figs