Abstract
We investigate the multiphoton ionization and the subsequent fragmentation of SF6 molecules with intense x-ray-free electron laser pulses at different photon energies. We observe highly charged molecular and atomic ions which were absent in previous experiments with conventional x-ray sources. The observation of fully stripped fluorine ions suggests sequential multiphoton ionization processes with intermediate 1s electron excitation. We measure the average momentum and kinetic energy of each fragment, the comparison of which implies many-body fragmentation pathways of the molecular ions. The observed non-monotonic dependence of the kinetic energy on the charge states of fluorine indicates the multiphoton ionization of ‘isolated’ atomic neutral fluorine or fluorine ions resultant from bond cleavages and also implies the fragmentation of highly charged molecular ions that are produced at a later time during a single pulse.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
