Self-trapping of excitons and lattice defect production in solid rare gases

A comparison of the calculated fluorescence spectra of solid and liquid rare gases with the experimental data makes it probable that in solid rare gases the exciton self-trapping is accompanied by defect production, here the defect production being the fundamental mechanism of the relaxation of exciton to its ground state. The comparison of the fluorescence spectra of solid and liquid phases makes it possible to forecast the production of radiation damages. A conjectural relationship between exciton cavities and nucleation processes proceeding in bubble chambers are briefly discussed.Dedicated to Professor Miroslav Trlifaj on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday.