Negative ions in liquid xenon

The structure and mobility of negative ions of oxygen in liquid Xe is inves tigated. It is shown that the strong exchange interaction of the outer, wea kly bound electron of the negative ion with the surrounding liquid leads to a partial compensation of the electrostriction effect, and it prevents the formation of a solid cluster around the negative ion. A simple perturbativ e model describing the structure of the negative ion in the liquid matrix i s developed. The mobility of O-2(-) ions in liquid Xe on the saturation lin e is estimated. The reasons for the difference in mobility of negative and positive ions are discussed. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics.