Investigation of HgBr* excitation by x-ray sustained discharge in Xe/HgBr₂ mixtures

The excitation kinetics and luminescence of HgBr* are investigated in Xe/HgBr₂ mixtures, under x-ray irradiation as well as under x-ray sustained low current discharge. The discharge characteristics are studied for mixtures containing variables amounts of HgBr₂. A value of 8.4×10^-11 cm³ sec^-1 is measured for the attachment rate of slow electrons to HgBr₂, by observing the decay of the electron current following a 30 nsec x-ray radiation pulse. From the dependence of the intensity of the HgBr B→X transition on the mercuric bromide density, the quenching rate of HgBr* by HgBr₂ is determined. The dependence of the emitted radiation intensity on the applied electric field is investigated and its spatial distribution is studied. The formation kinetic processes conforming with the experimental results are discussed.