Measurement of direct and charge-exchange excitation cross sections in collisions of 1--1800-eV (laboratory frame) He/sup +/, Ne/sup +/, Ar/sup +/, Kr/sup +/, and B/sup +/ ions and of 1--3600-eV He/sup 2 +/, Ne/sup 2 +/, and Ar/sup 2 +/ ions with O/sub 2/ (wavelength region 2000--8000 A)

Absolute cross sections for the excitation of optically emitting states in collisions of He/sup +/, Ne/sup +/, Ar/sup +/, Kr/sup +/, B/sup +/, He/sup 2 +/, Ne/sup 2 +/, and Ar/sup 2 +/ with oxygen molecules are measured, the energy range of the ion being 1--1800 eV (laboratory frame) for singly charged and 1--3600 eV for doubly charged ions. Seven important processes can be distinguished: charge-exchange excitation of O/sub 2/ /sup +/ bands, O I, O II, X I, and X II lines (X/sup +/,X/sup 2 +/ being the primary ion), direct excitation of X II, and double-charge-exchange excitations. The energy dependences of the excitation cross sections are remarkably different for different processes but similar for one process with different ions. They are given in a few examples. The sum total of all cross sections together for excitations which lead to light emission is on the order of a few A/sup 2/ at 1000-eV energy (c.m. frame). The results are of interest for surface investigations, plasma diagnostics, and laser work.