Optical Emission from Argon Excited by Alpha Particles: Quenching Studies

• DOI: 10.1063/1.1726158
• Publication Date: 2005-01-09T06:59:58Z
• Authors: T. D. Strickler; E. T. Arakawa

Optical emission from argon gas excited with alpha particles has been studied to determine if electronic states of long lifetimes are by swiftly moving charged as observed in studies ionization. The spectrum showed a continuum which could be separated into three distinct bands maxima at 1300, 1800, and 2000 Å. light intensity the 2200-Å band was readily quenched addition about 2% CH4, CO2, O2, Kr. 1800-Å more slowly than impurity gases. results support notion that alpha-particle excitation high pressures leaves long-lived 11.5 or 14.5 eV. continua appear arise mainly Franck—Condon transitions between two ground repulsive state dimer forms consequence atoms.