129Xe chemical shift measurements on a single crystal surface

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has been performed on xenon adsorbates on a iridium single crystal surface. Optical pumping methods have been applied to increase the 129Xe polarization and thus the NMR sensitivity by five orders of magnitude. Enriched 129Xe gas has been adsorbed on a carbon monoxide and ethylidyne covered Ir(1 1 1) surface with coverages up to one monolayer. In addition the surface of a condensed xenon bulk has been investigated. Narrow resonances with distinct chemical shifts were observed reflecting the very different nature of the substrates. This opens a new field of spectroscopy for the study of surfaces.