Abstract
Charge localization in multiple ionization and fragmentation of small argon clusters is reported. The processes are initiated by interaction of the neutral cluster with highly charged . Products are detected by means of multicoincidence time-of-flight methods. A strong dependence of the fragmentation pattern on the Xe charge state is observed. In particular, we find evidence for formation of multiply charged atomic fragment ions up to . Such high charge states have neither been observed in fission of multiply charged van der Waals clusters nor in ion-induced fragmentation of fullerenes or metal clusters. This hints at fundamentally different excitation and fragmentation dynamics.
- Received 13 November 2001
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.143401
©2002 American Physical Society