EXCITATION MECHANISMS IN THE ZINC ION LASER

Abstract

Conclusive proof is given that two comparably important collision processes are involved in the excitation of the helium‐zinc ion laser; charge exchange with the atomic helium ion is the primary source of excitation of the high‐lying Zn II levels in configurations of the type, 3d¹⁰ nx, and Penning collisions with the He(2³ S) metastables are the main source of the lower‐lying Zn II levels in the 3d⁹ 4s² configuration. Substantial enhancement of charge exchange over the Penning reaction was also found in hollow cathode discharges.