Emission induced by an energy transfer from electronic excitations in SiO2 to N2 molecules

For the first time, an emission induced by an energy transfer from electronic excitations in SiO
2
to N
2
molecules surrounding SiO
2
sample is observed. The emission is found both in the cases of a single-crystalline and a highly-dispersed SiO
2
. Electronic excitations were created in SiO
2
by the two-photon absorption of laser radiation at 205 nm and by the bombardment with a high-current electron beam with the average particle energy of 150 keV. A presumable qualitative model of energy transfer at the SiO
2
surface is suggested.