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Spectroscopy of electronic, atomic, ionic and exciplex bubbles in quantum solids

English title Spectroscopy of electronic, atomic, ionic and exciplex bubbles in quantum solids
Applicant Weis Antoine
Number 119786
Funding scheme Project funding (Div. I-III)
Research institution Département de Physique Université de Fribourg
Institution of higher education University of Fribourg - FR
Main discipline Condensed Matter Physics
Start/End 01.04.2008 - 31.03.2010
Approved amount 222'052.00
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All Disciplines (2)

Discipline
Condensed Matter Physics
Other disciplines of Physics

Keywords (11)

matrix isolation spectroscopy; quantum solids; atomic bubbles; electron bubbles; exciplexes; Matrix isolation; solid helium; quantum crystals; laser spectroscopy; magnetic resonance; snowballs

Lay Summary (English)

Lead
Lay summary
The Fribourg Atomic Physics group (FRAP) has a world-leading expertise in the study of atomic and molecular defects in solid helium matrices. This unique variant of matrix isolation spectroscopy in quantum solids is closely related to defect spectroscopy in heavier rare gas and hydrogen solids, in doped helium nano-droplets, and in superfluid helium.

On one hand, we are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the modification of free atomic properties by cubic and hexagonal solid helium matrices, which, together with model calculations, gives us a quantitative insight into the structure, symmetry, and dynamics of the local trapping sites in that unusual matrix. On the other hand, the unique properties of the quantum solid 4He allows the formation of structures which cannot be observed under other conditions, such as the formation of large exciplex molecules or the macroscopic iceberg structure which we have recently discovered. According to our hypothesis, the latter contains positively and negatively charged particles - ionic snowballs and electron bubbles - bound together by the Coulomb interaction. We study both types of dopants using spectroscopic methods in infrared, visible, and near ultraviolet domains. We also apply optical and magnetic resonance spectroscopy to embedded neutral alkali atoms to obtain information on the crystalline structure and density of the iceberg. We also study metal-helium exciplexes and search for new complexes formed by highly excited states of Cs and ground-state He atoms.
Direct link to Lay Summary Last update: 21.02.2013

Responsible applicant and co-applicants

Employees

Associated projects

Number Title Start Funding scheme
111941 Spectroscopy and ultrafast dynamics of atomic bubbles and exciplexes in quantum solids 01.04.2006 Project funding (Div. I-III)
129831 Atomic probes in normal fluid, superfluid and solid helium: spectroscopy and imaging 01.04.2010 Project funding (Div. I-III)

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