FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY AND PHOTOPROCESSES OF Ag AND $Ag_{2}$ IN RARE GAS MATRICES

Abstract

The UV-visible fluorescence spectra of Ag and $Ag_{2}$ in rare gas matrices have been investigated, using conventional fluorescence techniques. Both systems show strongly relaxed (red-shifted) fluorescence, indicative of lattice relaxation in the excited states, These lattice relaxation processes lead to photoinduced diffusion and aggregation of Ag atoms and photodissociation of $Ag_{2}$ molecules in rare gas matrices. In addition, internal conversion and energy transfer processes are important in in these systems A qualitative interpretation of the absorption and fluorescence spectra and photoprocesses will be outlined, emphasizing the role of lattice relaxation in the excited ($^{2}P$) stats of the entrapped silver atoms.