Absorption spectra of solid Xe and Xe trapped in solid Kr, A, and Ne

Abstract

The vacuum ultraviolet absorption spectra of solid xenon and xenon trapped in solid krypton, argon and neon were obtained on a 2.2 meter spectrograph. The spectral range was between 1850Å and 1200Å. Solid xenon spectra were recorded at 5 °K for xenon deposited at 5°K, xenon deposited at 5°K and annealed at 50°K, and xenon deposited at 50°K. The spectra obtained for the annealed and unannealed deposits at 5°K are similar to results previously reported. However, for a deposit of 50°K additional bands are observed. The relative intensities of the bands are shown to depend on the deposit rate and duration. The bands may be explained lf it is assumed hcp xenon exists in the thin film solids. Spectra of xenon diluted in krypton, argon and neon were obtained at 5°K for xenon to rare gas mole ratios of 1:300, 1:500 and 1:1500. For well diluted xenon, 1:1500 ratio, the spectra of xenon in krypton and argon agree with previous reports. In the cases of greater xenon concentration, two additional absorptions were detected. One absorption may correspond to a "forbidden" transition in atomic xenon while the second absorption is probably characteristic of Xe_n formation. The Xe:Ne spectra displayed no additional absorptions, but the principal absorption linewidth was extremely broad, essentially masking other possible structure. The results have shown thermal treatment to have a marked effect on solid xenon spectra. The existence of hydrogen like absorptions has also been confirmed both for the pure solid and alloys.