Vibrational relaxation of highly excited Ne2(+) ions in a weakly ionized plasma

The spectral line intensities of the Ne 3p-5d transitions are determined experimentally in the aftergrow of a weakly ionized plasma at Ne pressure 2-90 torr, electron density (5-50) x 10 to the 10th/cu cm, and electron temperature 300-8300 K by the method of Ivanov and Sukhomlinov (1983). The results are presented graphically and characterized in detail, with a focus on dissociative recombination processes. Vibrational relaxation of highly excited Ne2(+) ions due to inelastic collisions with Ne atoms is observed at degree of ionization 10 to the -7th and pressure 30 torr or greater, and the vibrational levels with i = 13 or greater are found to have a rate constant of about 2.5 x 10 to the -14th cu cm/s.