Energy dependence of the Penning ionization electron spectrum of Ne* (3P2,0)+Kr

A crossed beam experiment is carried out to measure the energy of electrons emitted in Penning ionization processes by Ne^*(³P_2,0)–Kr collisions. The electron energy spectra have been measured at four different collision energies: 0.050, 0.140, 0.190, 0.460 eV. The analysis of the results allows the separation of spin orbit contributions both in the entrance and in the exit channels providing the related cross-section ratios. Some theoretical considerations have been made to clarify nature and role of interatomic potentials driving the collisions and some general features about the role of atomic fine structure in the Penning ionization processes.