Ar-supported atomic population transfer from the 3d4p 1D2 to nearby states of Ca

We have investigated excitation transfersfrom the 3d4p 1D2 state to the 3d4p 3F2, 4s5p 3P1 states of Ca through thermal collisions with Ar following a stepwise laser excitation. The experiments were conducted in a cylindrical vapor cell containing a mixture of Ca vapor and Ar at 725°C. The transfer of population was monitored through a systematic study of fluorescence as a function of Ar pressure. The corresponding rate constants are calculated to be 1.5× 10−10, 2.4 × 10−11 and 7.4 × 10−12 cm3 s−1 respectively.