Effective Radiative Lifetimes

Abstract

Measurements of trapped decay rates for the xenon 146.9 nm resonance transition in the positive column of low current xenon discharges are reported. These rates, also called "effective lifetime of resonance photons", were measured in contrast to other authors in an active discharge by means of a laser produced disturbance in the density of the 6s[3/2)1-xenon resonance atoms at the discharge axis. The 146.9 n m radiation resulting from this temporary overpopulation was measured and then analysed for the determination of the trapped decay rates. The dependence of the measured quantities of tube diameter is discussed. A cornparision with decay rates obtained by other experimental methodes and simulations of resonance radiation trapping shows good agreement.