Radiation effects in solid nitrogen and nitrogen-containing matrices: fingerprints of N₄⁺ species.

The radiation effects and relaxation processes in solid N2 and N2-doped Ne matrices, preirradiated by an electron beam, have been studied in the temperature range of 5-40 and 5-15 K, respectively. The study was performed using luminescence methods: cathodoluminescence CL and developed by our group nonstationary luminescence NsL, as well as optical and current activation spectroscopy methods: spectrally resolved thermally stimulated luminescence TSL and exoelectron emission TSEE. An appreciable accumulation of N radicals, N(+), N2(+) ions, and trapped electrons is found in nitrogen-containing Ne matrices.

Charging effects in an electron bombarded Ar matrix and the role of chemiluminescence-driven relaxation.

The relaxation processes in pure and doped Ar films preirradiated by an electron beam are studied with the focus on charging effects. Correlated real time measurements have been performed applying current and optical activation spectroscopy methods. Thermally stimulated exoelectron emission and thermally stimulated luminescence are detected in the vacuum ultraviolet and visible range.

Impact of phase composition on water adsorption on inorganic hybrids "salt/silica".

The effect of a "guest-host" interaction on the phase composition and sorption properties of the composite sorbents "salt in a porous host matrix" has been studied. The matrix was a mesoporous silica of KSK type, while the confined salts were CaCl(2), CuSO(4), MgSO(4), and Na(2)SO(4). Both structure and properties of the composites were studied by X-ray diffraction, titration in the pH range of 2-9, differential dissolution, and TG techniques.

Thermally stimulated exoelectron emission from solid neon.

In spite of the negative electron affinity of Ne atoms, appreciable concentrations of electrons can be trapped in solid neon layers formed by depositing the gas on a cold substrate with concurrent electron irradiation. These are trapped at defect sites, and can be promoted into the conduction band in an annealing experiment. They can then recombine with positive charges producing vacuum ultraviolet "thermoluminescence," but can also be extracted from the solid, and detected as an "exoelectron" current.