Collisional Excitation of Neon Spectra

Electronic spectra in Ne II, III, IV, V, VI, and VII were excited by sending a beam of 5.1-MeV Ne²⁺ ions through a thin carbon foil. A number of discrete spectral lines were detected in the extreme ultraviolet, the wavelength range studied being between 250 and 1300 {}. It appears that D terms are populated most, S terms hardly at all, and P terms to an intermediate amount. Mean lives of levels in Ne IV and Ne VI were measured. A general discussion is given of the fast-beam-and-foil technique for exciting spectral lines.