Luminescence of N atoms in solid N 2 stimulated by low energy electrons

Abstract

Low energy electrons have been used as an excitation source to reinvestigate the visible luminescence spectrum of pure solid nitrogen. Particular attention has been given to the interpretation of the α( 2 D– 4 S) emission within the ground state configuration of trapped nitrogen atoms. The spectral intensity distribution within α was photoelectrically recorded with a variety of excitation energies and at a number of different temperatures between that of liquid helium and liquid hydrogen. Decay curves for these features and the results of flow experiments are discussed. The components that comprise the α emission are shown to arise as dipole radiation from N atoms in at least five sites within the N 2 lattice, one of which is a surface site.