Low- and high-density features of IR luminescence of Xe₂ excimers produced by electron impact

Electron--impact excitation of Xe atoms in pure Xe gas and in a Xe(10 %)--Ar(90 %) mixture has led to the discovery of infrared (IR) luminescence of Xe$_{2}$ excimers. The investigation of the emission spectrum at low gas density has allowed the identification of the molecular states involved in the transition. When the gas density is increased to values up to 40 times larger than the density of the ideal gas at standard temperature and pressure, the interaction of the excimer with the dense environment produces a strong red--shift of the spectrum that is interpreted in terms of many--body effects.