Molecular structure by Coulomb explosion imaging of stored molecular ions
- Max-Planck-Institut fuer Kernphysik, 69029 Heidelberg (Germany)
An experimental scheme, which combines Coulomb explosion imaging (CEI) with storage of fast molecular ions, has been introduced recently at the TSR heavy ion storage ring facility in Heidelberg. CEI is an experimental technique that provides direct observation of the nuclear conformations within small molecules. The combination of CEI with the storage ring technique enables the control of the internal excitation of the measured molecules, which is an essential condition to the interpretation of CEI results in terms of 'structure' assigned to specific molecular states. This structure is measured as a function of storage time, thus enabling one to study processes of slow intramolecular dynamics such as isomerization, metastable states, etc. Moreover in this scheme, CEI can be used as a diagnostic tool for the intramolecular excitation, while other molecular interactions (e.g. with electrons or photons) are investigated. In this report, the CEI principle and the new experimental setup are described with an emphasis on the new prospects for studies in molecular physics. CEI measurements of stored CH{sub 2}{sup +} and NH{sub 2}{sup +} molecular ions are presented. The study of the angular distribution in these molecules as a function of their vibrational relaxation to the ground state, reveals unexpected behavior near the linear conformation which is inconsistent with the current adiabatic theories.
- OSTI ID:
- 21207925
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 457, Issue 1; Conference: International conference on trapped charged particles and fundamental physics, Asilomar, CA (United States), 31 Aug - 4 Sep 1998; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.57458; (c) 1999 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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