Atomic and molecular defects in solid 4He

The studies of defects formed by impurity particles (atoms, molecules, exciplexes, clusters. free electrons, and positive ions) embedded in liquid and solid He-4 are reviewed. The properties of free electrons and neutral particles in condensed helium are described by the electron (atomic) bubble model, whereas for the positive ions a snowball structure is considered. We compare the properties of the defects in condensed helium with those of metal atoms isolated in heavier rare gas matrices. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.