Collisional process involving atomic cluster ions

Collision of Ar cluster ions, Ar _n ⁺ (n=3–16), with He and Ne atoms was investigated by use of mass spectroscopic techniques. The cross sections for the production of Ar _n ⁺ (nn) were measured as functions of the size of the parent cluster ion and the collision energy (0.1–10 eV in the center-of-mass frame). These results were analyzed in the scheme of hard-sphere spectator collision with RRK theory. It was concluded that the reaction proceeds via collisional excitation of the parent cluster ion and following sequential loss of the constituent Ar atoms.This paper was originally submitted in connection with the 2nd. Int. Conference on Atomic and Nuclear Clusters held in Santorini from 28. June-2. July 1993 and is published here as a regular article after an independent refereeing procedure according to the standards of Z. Phys. D