The study of the non-radiative life-time of the 1S5metastable states of neon atoms under its own gas pressure of 13.3 mbar

The probability of electrical breakdown in neon is investigated under a pressure of 13.3 mbar, using the breakdown time-delay measurement method. It is found, by applying a laser spectroscopy technique, that the 1S 5 metastable states of neon atoms dominantly contribute to the breakdown probability in the moment when more than 1 s has passed after the previous discharge. With this method the presence of 1S 5 states of Ne atoms is detected in the gas, under the pressure mentioned, up to about 500 s after the cessation of the breakdown.