STATE-TO-STATE RATE CONSTANTS FOR QUENCHING OF XENON 6P LEVELS BY RARE-GASES

State-to-state rate constants have been measured for xenon 6p[3/2]1,2, 6p[5/2]2,3, 6p[1/2]1, and 6s'[1/2]1 levels quenched by helium, neon, argon, and xenon. Some total rate constants and 6p radiative transition probabilities have also been measured. The time-dependent fluorescence from pumped and collisionally populated levels following pulsed excitation of a single level is observed. Data for different gas pressures are fit using a rate equation model that includes all relevant levels. Neon is found to have small total rate constants, while xenon has large total rate constants. Both neon and xenon quench to a number of nearby levels. Helium and argon have total rate constants varying greatly with 6p level. Helium tends to quench to the next lower level while argon usually quenches to many levels.