Formation of small water cluster anions by attachment of very slow electrons at high resolution

Abstract

Using a high resolution laser photoelectron attachment method, we have studied the formation of (H 2 O) q - (q = 2, 6, 7, 11, 15) cluster ions in collisions of slow free electrons (E = 1-80 meV) and Rydberg electrons (n = 12-300) with water clusters. Resonances at zero energy have been observed, the shapes of which are strongly dependent on cluster size. The results are discussed in terms of the formation of metastable negative ions.