Sputtering and Luminescence in Electronically Excited Solid Argon

Abstract
We have measured both ultraviolet luminescence and ejection of atomic argon from solid argon films electronically excited by megaelectronvolt light ions. The two phenomena reflect (respectively) the radiative and the nonradiative parts of the energy release during electronic recombination and deexcitation. The measurements can be correlated by a model of diffusion of ionic excitons followed by formation and decay of self-trapped excimers.