XeO* production through collisional electronic energy transfer from two-photon excited Xe atoms

The observation of electronic energy transfer to XeO(1Σ+) from xenon atoms excited by two-photon absorption is reported. Electronically excited xenon atoms in the 5p56p configuration are produced through two-photon excitation at 248.4 nm (KrF*). Subsequent energy transfer from excited rare-gas atoms to N2O leads to the appearance of XeO(1Σ+), which is identified by the detection of its characteristic green emission band. These measurements are in accord with estimates of the relevant two-photon amplitudes for Xe and N2O. Kinetic studies utilizing these techniques provide a flexible method for the study of selective excitation and energy transfer in a wide class of atomic and molecular materials.