Non-statistical fragmentation of large molecules in collisions with atoms

Abstract

Non-statistical fragmentation processes are important when Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules, fullerenes, or other large molecules collide with atoms at center- of-mass energies from a few tens to a few hundreds of eV. The typical result is the prompt, billiard-ball-like knockout of single atoms (CHx-loss). This is distinct from the well-known statistical fragmentation patterns of these molecules, which are dominated by H- and C2H2-loss for PAHs and C2-loss for fullerenes. We have explored the role of non-statistical fragmentation of PAHs and fullerenes in a series of experimental and theoretical studies. In general, the yield of non-statistical fragments depends sensitively on their stability against secondary statistical fragmentation following knockout.