Fragmentation of CH 42+ following C 1s ionisation studied by Auger electron-ion–ion coincidence experiments

Abstract

The fragmentation of the CH 4 2+ dication has been studied in an electron impact experiment by Auger electron-ion and Auger electron-ion–ion coincidence measurements. Different states of the dications have been selected by changing the kinetic energy of the Auger electrons. Particular attention has been paid to the production of the CH 2 + and CH 3 + ions whose Kinetic Energy Release (KER) distributions and dissociation channels have been determined. Moreover, for the first time in an electron impact experiment, the C 2+ ion fragment has been identified.