Influence of electrical resonance on the interpretation of optogalvanic data

Resonant laser light and electrical pulses are used to induce time-dependent optogalvanic signals from commercial hollow-cathode lamps. Previous workers observed such signals induced by a laser and interpreted them in terms of specific molecular processes. It is argued that electrical resonance in the lamp and its associated circuit, when combined with the negative resistance characteristic in the lamp, create a circuit which is capable of oscillation. This circuit, under certain conditions, has been found to oscillate spontaneously or it may be stimulated to yield damped oscillations through the action of an electrical pulse, or by a resonant-laser pulse. Such effects must be considered in the interpretation of time-dependent optogalvanic data in addition to specific molecular processes which may be taking place.