Low energy electron localization in hydrocarbon glasses. Method of photoassisted ion pair separation

Abstract

Experimental results on increase of the probability of geminate ion pair separation into free ions caused by photoexcitation of trapped electrons in γ-irradiated 3-methylpentane glasses at 77 K are discussed. The increase is associated with injection of “hot” electrons in the medium. After thermalization the motion of the electrons is suggested to be governed by Smoluchowski's equation until stable trapped electron states occur. The dependence of the mean-square thermalization length on the electron energy in the interval 0.1–1.5 eV and the mean-square length (45 Å) of thermalized precursor of stable trapped electrons are estimated. It is concluded that electron localization precedes to total thermalization and is effective at electron energies <0.1 eV.