Quenching of Ne, F, and F2 in Ne/Xe/NF3 and Ne/Xe/F2 mixtures

As part of a kinetic study of XeF laser media, we have followed the time evolution of the Ne*, F*, and F*2 densities in e-beam excited Ne/Xe/NF3(F2) mixtures. The Ne* and F* densities were monitored by laser absorption while the F2* was observed in emission at 158 nm. Rate coefficients for the quenching of these excited states by Ne, Xe, NF3, and F2 have been determined. The radiative lifetime of the F2* was measured to be 41±4×10−9 sec.