Multiple H+3 fragment production in single collision of fast H+ n clusters with He atoms

Abstract

Abstract.The production of H + ions resulting from single collisions of mass-selected ionic hydrogen clusters, tt + (n = 9, 25, 31), with helium at high velocity (1.55 times the Bohr velocity) has been studied. A strong double H3 ~ ion production resulting from one incident cluster is observed. Moreover, evidence for a triple H I fragment production is presented for n = 25 and 31. Thus, in this energy range, the collision gives rise to multifragmentation processes. The formation of H~ ions takes place in the fragmentation of the multicharged cluster resulting from the collision. Since this observation, H + infrared emission has been detected in many astronomical objects. Because of a great reactivity and its large amount in nature, H + is assumed to play a central role in the chemical evolution of interstellar molecular clouds [8]. This H + abundance is usually explained by the efficient exothermic reaction + + H2-+ + H.In this paper, we report on the first experimental observation of multiple H + production after fragmentation of mass-selected 60-keV/amu ionic hydrogen clusters, H + (n=9, 25, 31), induced by single collision with helium.

Collision-induced dissociation of protonated water clusters

“…The first such studies have become possible owing to the ability to irradiate isolated molecular nanosystems at various stages of aggregation with various projectiles, e.g., see Refs. [1,2,3]. They allowed the investigation of initial radiation-induced interactions between molecules in these isolated nanosystems, which provides detailed information on some radiation effects at the nanoscale.…”