Spectroscopy and energy relaxation processes of Hg2 and Hg in solid Ne

The spectroscopy of Hg2 molecules in Ne matrices has been investigated using absorption, excitation and emission spectroscopy. Emission spectra show fluorescence from the lowest A0g+ and the B1g states, separated by about 1500 cm−1, to the ground state X0+g. Their excitation spectra show clearly the absorption bands of the D1u and F0u+ states. The relaxation processes leading to the B and A emission bands are discussed. At higher excitation laser power, emission from the G0u+ state to the ground state is also observed. Furthermore, several bands of atomic origin appear which are due to transitions between excited levels of the atom. These high lying levels are mainly populated by reabsorption of atomic fluorescence by atoms in the 3P1 state.