Recent results from ESD and PSD on rare gas solids with low energy electron and with synchrotron radiation excitation

Desorption of neutral atoms following selective excitonic excitation with low energy electrons or with synchrotron radiation underlines the crucial role of exciton-lattice interaction in the microscopic desorption mechanisms. All rare gas solids yield desorption of ground state atoms which stem from relaxation of the molecular-type trapped excitations after their radiative decay. In addition, solid Ne and Ar yield desorption of metastables, 3P1 and 1P1 atoms. The desorption of excited atoms is a consequence of the negative work function. It is closely related to exciton trapping in an atomic type configuration with cavity formation. The combination of various experimental techniques is needed to get a detailed insight into the excitonic desorption mechanisms. (author)