State‐to‐state rate constants for the collisional interaction of Xe(7p), Xe(6p′), and Kr(5p′) atoms with He and Ar

Kinetics of optically pumped Kr metastables

Optically-pumped atomic gas lasers that utilize metastable excited states of rare gas atoms (Rg(*)) have been demonstrated using both pulsed and CW pump sources. These devices resemble diode-pumped alkali vapor lasers, but have the advantage of using a chemically inert lasing medium. Collisional energy transfer is needed to sustain a population inversion, and He is used as the transfer agent. Consequently, values for the Kr(*)+He state-to-state energy transfer rate constants are needed for the analysis and prediction of laser performance characteristics. In the present study, we report He energy transfer rate constants for Kr(*) in the 5p[5/2](2), 5p[5/2](3), 5p[1/2](1), and 5s[3/2](1) states.