Electron stimulated desorption of condensed,branched alkanes

Electron stimulated desorption of H⁺, CH₃⁺, H₂⁺ and D⁺ has been measured as a function of excitation energy for condensed phase neopentane, tetramethylsilane, 2-methylpropane-1-d₁, and 2-methylpropane-2-d₁. The data show that the processes which result in both H⁺ and CH₃⁺ production are initiated by the same excitation. The excitations which produce H⁺, CH₃⁺ and H₂⁺ appear to be largely localized on the methyl groups. The results indicate that multi-electron (hole) final states are responsible for H⁺ and CH₃⁺ desorption.