Optical and Electron Spin Resonance Studies of Destruction of Porous Structures Formed by Nitrogen–Rare Gas Nanoclusters in Bulk Superfluid Helium

Abstract

We studied optical and electron spin resonance spectra during destruction of porous structures formed by nitrogen–rare gas (RG) nanoclusters in bulk superfluid helium containing high concentrations of stabilized nitrogen atoms. Samples were created by injecting products of a radio frequency discharge of nitrogen–rare gas–helium gas mixtures into bulk superfluid helium. These samples have a high energy density allowing the study of energy release in chemical processes inside of nanocluster aggregates. The rare gases used in the studies were neon, argon, and krypton. We also studied the effects of changing the relative concentrations between nitrogen and rare gas on thermoluminescence spectra during destruction of the samples. At the beginning of the destructions, $\alpha$-group of nitrogen atoms, Vegard–Kaplan bands of $\hbox {N}_2$ molecules, and $\beta$-group of O atoms were observed. The final destruction of the samples were characterized by a series bright flashes. Spectra obtained during these flashes contain M- and $\beta$-bands of NO molecules, the intensities of which depend on the concentration of molecular nitrogen in the gas mixture as well as the type of rare gas present in the gas mixture.