Optical Excitation of Solid Neon in the Vacuum Ultraviolet

Abstract

The reflection and transmission spectra of solid Ne films have been measured at 6\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K for photon energies between 10 and 35 eV where transitions from the valence band occur. The use of the continuous spectrum of synchrotron radiation of DESY enabled us to resolve an exciton series with sharp maxima beginning at 17.8 eV and converging to 21.4 eV. At higher energies solid Ne exhibits additional weak structures in the conduction-band continuum.