X-RAY-INDUCED FLUORESCENCE AND THERMOLUMINESCENCE OF SILVER ATOMS IN SOLID RARE-GASES

Emission spectra of Ag atoms isolated in Ar, Kr, and Xe matrices have been studied during X-ray irradiation. The spectra consist of broad lines being red shifted by about 1 eV relative to the absorption lines. The spectra are similar to luminescence spectra observed after optical excitation of the inner-shell states (4 d95 s5 p) of Ag but differ from the emission spectra observed after resonance excitation of the state (4 d105 p). During isothermal annealing of the sample after the end of the X-ray irradiation thermoluminescence is observed on all Ag emission lines. X-ray irradiation leads primarily to the production of photoelectrons which upon thermalization generate several hundred excitons. It is concluded that the excitons are partly trapped at the Ag impurities and give rise to the observed emission spectra. Another part of the excitons leads to the production of trapped charge carriers which are released upon annealing. The temperature dependence of the thermoluminescence shows that different trapping configurations with a broad distribution of activation enthalpies are present. © 1990 Springer-Verlag.