Efficient trapping of silver cations in a rare gas matrix: Ag 3+ in argon

Abstract

Mass selected cations of Ag clusters are deposited, together with Ar seeded with C O2 (or other electron scavengers such as O2, N2 O, or C Cl4), on a cold substrate, while being flooded with low energy electrons. Optical absorption measurements reveal an efficient trapping of Ag cluster cations in the Ar matrix, provided that C O2 or another electron scavenger is present to ensure charge neutrality of the matrix. The spectrum of Ag3+ thus obtained is in excellent agreement with previous predictions from quantum chemical calculations. © 2007 American Institute of Physics.