The F2 laser emission in Ne matrices at 160.6 nm is reported for the f
irst time. Its excitation spectrum in the 11-16 eV range has been reco
rded by means of tunable synchrotron radiation. Anomalous envelopes of
vibrational progressions occurring in the gas phase due to avoided cr
ossings of ion-pair 1SIGMA(u)+ states and Rydberg 1SIGMA(u)+ states ar
e shown to disappear in Ne matrices. The matrix spectra are discussed
in terms of a deperturbed C1SIGMA(u)+ ion-pair state and strongly blue
-shifted I1SIGMA(u)+ and H1PI(u) Rydberg states.