LATTICE DEFECT CREATION INDUCED BY EXCITON SELF-TRAPPING IN SOLID NE

We have performed theoretical studies of the possible evolution of the self-trapped exciton (STE) into stable lattice defects in solid neon. The species considered include the STE bubble with symmetric elastic relaxation of the surrounding atoms and the STE bubble which has induc ed several plastic deformations containing one or more Frenkel-type de fect pairs (interstitial-vacancy pair). We also determined the potenti al energy surfaces connecting the original STE bubble to the various F renkel pairs. Some of the species studied may lead to stable lattice d efects (Frenkel pairs) after the exciton has recombined. We have also evaluated the emission energy changes between the pure STE bubble and those accompanied by one or two extra vacancies. The latter bands occu r at energies smaller by about 30-66 meV than the regular STE bubble a nd compare reasonably well with the experimental data. The excited Ar atom in solid Ne is also investigated.