Disalignment of Ne$^{\ast }$(2p$_{10 }$[J=1]) atoms due to He(1s$^{2})$ atom collisions in glow discharges at 294 K

Our experimental disalignment rate of the Ne$^{\ast }$(2p$_{10})$ atoms induced by He atom collisions in a gaseous mixture at 294 K using a laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy method is (3.8 $\pm $ 0.3) x 10$^{-17}$ m$^{3}$s$^{-1}$. This value is only 4.6{\%} lower than our calculation of 4.3 x 10$^{-17}$ m$^{3}$s$^{-1}$ based on a quantum close-coupling many-channel method and the model potential proposed in [1]. In order to check the accuracy of our theoretical model, we calculate the energy-averaged cross section for destruction of alignment of the Ne$^{\ast }$(2p$_{10})$ atoms induced by He, and compare with measurements extracted from Hanle signals [2] at 315 $\pm $ 15 K. The experimental data of (3.20 $\pm $ 0.32) x 10$^{-20}$ m$^{2}$ [2] is in agreement with our calculations of 3.25 x 10$^{-20}$ m$^{2}$ at 300 K and 3.50 x 10$^{-20}$ m$^{2}$ at 330 K. These results are about one order of magnitude smaller than for the Ne$^{\ast }$(2p$_{5}$ [J=1]) atoms [3] at the same temperature because of a weaker electrostatic interaction between He and Ne$^{\ast }$(2p$_{10})$ atoms than with Ne$^{\ast }$(2p$_{5})$ [1]. [1] Bahrim C and Khadilkar V V 2009 \textit{Phys. Rev. A} \textbf{79} 042715. [2] Carrington C G and Corney A 1971 \textit{J. Phys. B }\textbf{4} 849-868. [3] Matsukuma H, Bahrim C and Hasuo M 2009 \textit{J. Plasma Fusion Res. SERIES } \textbf{8} 169-173.