Optimization of lead metastable production in a low pressure argon discharge

The spatial distribution of 6p2 3P1 and 6p2 3P2 lead metastable atoms in a radially symmetric low pressure argon discharge has been investigated by absorption measurements. The number density of lead as well as the argon pressure were varied independently. The measurements performed to find optimum conditions for metastable production in the discharge also revealed the diffusion and the collisional depopulation of the metastable species in argon.