Temperature dependence of de-excitation rate constants of He(23S) by Ne, Ar, Xe, H2, N2, O2, NH3, and CO2

Abstract

Reaction rate constants for the quenching of the 2³S state of helium by Ne, Ar, Xe, H₂, N₂, O₂, CO₂, and NH₃ have been measured as a function of temperature between 300 and 900°K in a flowing afterglow. All of these rate constants increased with temperature. This finding offers an explanation for the discrepancies among recently published values for the reaction rate constant of He(2³S) with these gases obtained in different experiments.