The study of optogalvanic effect associated with the 1s states of neon

We report on the temporal evolution of the optogalvanic signals in neon using a commercial hollow cathode lamp in conjunction with a Nd:YAG pumped dye laser system. We have recorded transitions excited from each of the neon 1s states over a range of discharge current to investigate the dominant physical processes responsible for the optogalvanic effect in neon discharges. The decay rates associated with the four 1s levels have been obtained using a mathematical rate equation model. A linear relationship between the decay rates and the discharge current has been found and the effective lifetimes and the electron collisional rate parameters of the 1s levels have been determined.