The electron excitation cross section of the metastable $1s_5$ level of neon is measured by a new technique that involves laser excitation of the metastables to a fluorescing level. A method for obtaining an absolute calibration of the cross section is given. The value of the direct cross section is 16×${10}^{-19\mathrm{}}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^2$ at 20 eV energy of the incident electrons.

• Received 29 September 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.23.2751