Electron induced degradation of condensed Fe(CO)5 studied by electron stimulated desorption

Abstract

SynopsisWe have measured the electron stimulated desorption (ESD) yields of anions and cations from thin films of Fe(CO)5 deposited onto both Xe or Pt surfaces. Measurements were made as functions of incident electron energy, incident current, and the thickness of both the Fe(CO)5 and Xe layers. The desorption of C- and O- occur exclusively via dipolar dissociation (DD), while the desorption of Fe(CO)x- (x = 0-4) proceeds via DD and dissociative electron attachment (DEA). Threshold energies for the desorption of cationic fragments C+, O+, CO+, and Fe(CO)+x (x = 0-4) were measured. Only CO+ appears to be produced by DD as opposed to dissociative ionization.