Kinetic studies of ArF* and Ar2F* in proton-excited Ar–F2 mixtures

Abstract

A detailed neutral kinetic scheme for the production and quenching of ArF* and Ar₂F* is provided from time‐resolved and time‐integrated spectra for proton‐excited Ar–F₂ mixtures at various partial pressures. The mechanism for the production of Ar₂F* is concluded mainly from the three‐body quenching of ArF* by argon. It is also found that the efficiency to produce ArF* by Ar₂* (1_u) with F₂ is comparable to Ar(³P₂) colliding with F₂. The two‐body quenching rate constants of ArF* and Ar₂F* by F₂, the three‐body quenching rate constant of ArF* by Ar, and the radiative lifetime of Ar₂F* are also obtained. The mechanism of ion–ion recombination to produce ArF* is briefly discussed.