Mechanism of formation of XeF* and XeO* excimers by photoexcitation of Xe–F2and Xe–O2mixtures

An investigation was made of excitation transfer from xenon atoms and molecules to F2 and O2 molecules when Xe–F2 and Xe–O2 mixtures were subjected to photoexcitation at wavelengths shorter than 158 nm. This transfer produced XeF* and XeO* excimers. A comparison was made of the kinetics of various models of photoexcitation of Xe–F2 and Xe–O2 mixtures and experimental data. It was established that excitation is transferred from Xe2 molecules formed by photoexcitation to F2 and O2 molecules by a harpoon mechanism.