Spectroscopy of triatomic alkali rare-gas ionic excimers

Vacuum ultraviolet fluorescence emissions of alkali rare gas triatomic ionic excimers have been observed. These molecules have been produced by electron beam excitation of rare gas alkali mixtures at high pressure and high temperature. Spectroscopic and kinetic studies have been performed on Kr2+Cs ions which exhibit a spectrum centered at 159nm. Binding energy of the lowest excited state has been estimated. Simple kinetic considerations allowed us to propose two formation processes of these ions and to estimate their rate constant.