Absorption Spectra of Solid Xenon, Krypton, and Argon in the Vacuum Ultraviolet

Abstract

The absorption spectra of solid xenon, krypton and argon at 4.2°K have been investigated between 3500 and 1200 A. In the region between 1510 and 1200 A solid xenon has four absorption bands, three of which lie within less than 800 cm^—1 of atomic transitions, all being shifted to lower energy in the solid. Solid krypton has two bands between 1250 and 1200 A which lie within 900 cm^—1 of atomic transitions but are shifted to higher energy in the solid. No absorption was found in solid argon at wavelengths longer than 1200 A. The experimental results are interpreted and discussed on the basis of valence type interatomic interactions in the excited states. It is predicted that the fluorescence spectra of these solids would be displaced to lower energy by about 1 ev.