THE STRETCHING MODE OF DEPOSITED CO AS A PROBE FOR THE MORPHOLOGY OF 5 K ICES

The band structure and spectral parameters (peak frequency, bandwidth) of the stretching mode of CO deposited at 5 K upon various ice layers are indicative of CO...H2O complexations and thereby of the nature of the ice surface. It is shown that for the former, a strained surface is sufficient and the ice does not have to possess uncoupled OH bonds. The order of crystallinity found is: pure ice deposited on CsI window > pure water deposited on argon and neon layers > neon/H2O solid mixt ure after neon release > argon/H2O solid mixture after argon release. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.