Spectroscopic observation of nitrogen anions N− in solid matrices

Analysis of old and recent experiments on thermoluminescence of cryocrystals and nanoclusters of N2, Ne, Ar, and Kr containing stabilized nitrogen atoms, suggests that the so-called γ-line may correspond to the bound–bound transition 1D–3P of nitrogen anions N− formed in solids by the association of delocalized electrons and metastable nitrogen atoms N(2D). The recent observations of the γ-line were accompanied by simultaneous luminescence of metastable nitrogen N(2D) atoms and exoelectron emission. The fine structure of the γ-line at 793 nm has been experimentally observed and investigated for the first time.