Dynamical fragmentation processes ofC605+ions inAr8+−C60collisions

Abstract

Asymmetric fragmentation dynamics of ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ is studied with ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}^{5+}$ in ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{8+}{\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ collisions. A sequential ``unzipping'' emission of light fragments is found to be the principal mechanism in the fullerene to fullerene conversion process. Unstable fullerenes ${\mathrm{C}}_{59}^{4+}$ and ${\mathrm{C}}_{57}^{4+}$ are produced in delayed-then-fast sequential emission of ${\mathrm{C}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{C}}_{3}^{+}.$ Fragmentation of a light fragment is observed for ${\mathrm{C}}_{10}^{2+}$ issued from a previous binary fission of the ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}^{5+}.$