Collision induced fragmentation of mass-selected (CO2) n + clusters

The collisional velocity dependence of the cross sections for fragmentation of mass-selected (CO2) n + (n+2...7) clusters in collisions with Ar atoms is presented. Interesting structure can be observed in the cross sections which indicate that the collision occurs between the Ar atom and one CO2 molecule within the cluster. The results may be explained by assuming that the collision leads to either vibrational excitation of a loosely bound CO2 monomer which then leaves the cluster or excitation of the entire cluster to a dissociative state.