Chemiionization reactions involving rare gas metastable atoms

Abstract

Measurements of the branching ratios for chemiionization of Ar, Kr, Xe, N2, CO^2, NO, CO, H2, C2, and N2 in collisions with rare gas metastable atoms are described. In addition measurements of absolute total ionization cross sections are discussed. A detailed analysis of the experimental procedure and the possible sources of error are given. The results are compared with previous experimental work. For the particular case of He(2^1S, 2^3S)-^2 collisions, a qualitative description of the processes involved which fits the observations is presented.