Large translational energy loss and scattering in collision-induced dissociation processes

Large translational energy losses (TEL) of between 10 and 35 eV have been observed and studied in the collision-induced decomposition (CID) of some CsI clusters, Cs₃I₂⁺, Cs₅I₄⁺ and Cs₁₄I₁₃⁺. The TEL was found to depend strongly on the collision energy. In some cases the TEL was greater than the centre of mass collision energy, showing that recoil energy of the target is undoubtedly important. The results suggest further that, at least for projectiles consisting of heavy atoms, most of the TEL is due to a scattering process. From the TEL and CID peak shapes approximate collision angle distributions were also determined.