Influence of rare-gas impurities on the emission of the third continua

An experimental investigation was made of the influence of rare-gas impurities on the emission of the third continua. A kinetic model developed on the assumption that these continua result from transitions in molecular ions from R$_2^{+*}$ states [corresponding asymptotically to the ground state of an R$^+$ ion and an excited state of an R*($^3P_{1,2}$) atom] to R$_2^+$ states (corresponding asymptotically to the ground states of an R$^+$ ion and an R atom). This model made it possible to predict the rates of quenching of the R$^{+*}$ and R$_2^{+*}$(1, 2) states. According to this interpretation, it is doubtful whether lasing is possible in Xe and Kr.