Interpretation of the absorption spectrum of silver atoms isolated in a xenon matrix

Abstract

In contrast to the usual three line absorption spectra which are observed when metal atoms with one valence electron are isolated in noble gas matrices, the spectrum of Ag in Xe exhibits two unique features. It shows four absorption lines, and the relative intensities of two lines depend strongly on the matrix temperature. These experimental results are explained by a model which assumes that in addition to the crystal field splitting the Ag P_3/2,jz=±3/2 level interacts with a Xe 6s level giving rise to an additional splitting.