Infrared Fluorescence of Xe2 Molecules in beam–excited Xe Gas at high Pressure

We report experimental results of proton– and electron–beam–induced near–infrared (NIR) fluorescence in high–pressure Xe gas at room temperature. The investigated wavelength band spans the range 0.7 ≤ λ ≤ 1.8μm. In the previously unexplored range for λ > 1.05μm we have detected a broad continuum NIR fluorescence at λ ≈ 1.3μm that shifts towards longer wavelengths as pressure is increased up to 1.5MPa. We believe that this continuum is produced in a way similar to the VUV continua of noble gas excimers and that the pressure–dependent shift can be explained by the interaction of the outer electron of the excimer with the gas.