Red shift of the spectrum of solvated electrons formed near geminate ions

Spectra of solvated electrons in an 8 M NaOH glass between 4.2 and 80 K have been measured. A theory is presented which can explain the decay of absorption on the red side of the absorption maximum of solvated electrons formed instantaneously after pulse radiolysis in polar glasses. The presence of a positive geminate ion near a solvated electron will cause a red shift of the spectrum; the closer the solvated electron is to the geminate ion, the larger the shift. Recombination will then cause a decay on the red side of the absorption maximum of the solvated electron. A formula is derived for the radius around a positive geminate ion within which no solvated electrons can be formed.