Electron-impact excitation cross sections of the higher argon 3p⁵np (n=5,6,7) levels

We have measured the electron-impact excitation cross sections for argon into the ten levels of 3p⁵5p configuration, as well as numerous levels of the 3p⁵6p and 3p⁵7p configurations. Fluorescence from the decay of the excited atoms to the levels of 3p⁵4s configuration was used to determine the optical-emission cross sections. These results were combined with transition probabilities to find apparent cross sections into the 3p⁵5p and 3p⁵6p levels. These new cross sections of the Ar(3p⁵np) levels along with the available Ne(2p⁵3p), Kr(4p⁵5p), and Xe(5p⁵6p) data help provide a global view of the excitation behaviors of the np⁵n^′p levels of the rare-gas series.