Forming an Excimer - Explaining the Process for Xenon

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on the formation of excimers, specifically involving xenon. Participants explore the theoretical and conceptual aspects of excimer formation, including the role of excited states and electron configurations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the formation of an excimer involving excited state xenon (Xe*) and expresses confusion regarding the interaction of ground state xenon (Xe) with its full valence band.
  • Another participant emphasizes the distinction between valence shell and valence band, noting that excimers are formed from atoms in excited states rather than solely from ground state atoms.
  • A participant mentions that xenon can form stable compounds in its ground state, suggesting that a full valence band does not necessarily prevent compound formation.
  • Further discussion includes the electron configurations of ground state and excited state xenon, with a focus on the potential involvement of the 5d subshell in reactions.
  • Participants express uncertainty about which electrons are shared in the formation of the Xe* excimer and seek clarification on the orbital interactions involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the specifics of electron sharing and orbital interactions in the formation of xenon excimers. Multiple viewpoints and uncertainties remain regarding the underlying mechanisms.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential misunderstandings of electron configurations and the definitions of valence shell versus valence band, as well as unresolved details about the nature of the interactions in excimer formation.

MartinMan
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Hello, first post!

Can anyone explain to me how an excimer is formed?

Considering Xenon.
I've gathered that an excited state Xe*, ground state Xe, and a 3rd body M react resulting in an Xe* excimer + M(carrying away excess energy).

I'm struggling to find how the ground state Xe can have any interaction at all with its full valence band. Any pointers?

Thanks in advance!
PS My physics/chemistry isn't particularly advanced, I'm studying elec. engineering.
 
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Thanks for the post! Sorry you aren't generating responses at the moment. Do you have any further information, come to any new conclusions or is it possible to reword the post?
 
First, I would rather talk of valence shell than of valence band. Bands occur only in solids.
The point with an exicmer is that it is a molecule which is not formed from two atoms in their ground states but from two atoms of which one is in an excited state. I.e. in the Xenon atom, one electron is excited into a higher empty orbital so that it, or the electron remaining in the valence shell can form a bond.
Besides this, Xenon can also form stable molecules in it's ground state like oxides and fluorides, so the criterion of full valence band is does not always preclude the formation of compounds.
 
Thanks so much for the reply! I'm starting to get it a bit more.

So, if Xe has 5s2 5p6, Xe* has 5s2 5p5 6s1 in its valence shell. Apparently the ground Xe can in fact take more than 8 electrons in its valence shell. So I take it the 5d subshell could be used somewhere in the reaction...

What might the Xe* excimers electron config look like?

I'm still stuck on which electrons are shared, in what orbital...
 

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