Multiple-collision induced dissociation of trapped silver clusters Agn+ (2⩽n⩽25)

The dissociation energies of singly charged silver cluster cations, Agn+ (2⩽n⩽25), are determined by multiple-collision induced dissociation (MCID) in a Penning trap. The fragment yield is analyzed in terms of a linearized impulsive collision theory for the energy transfer in the multicollisional process and the delayed decay as predicted by the Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel (RRK) model. Previous photofragmentation experiments performed in the size range (9⩽n⩽21) are found to be in good agreement with the present results. Theoretical predictions agree for most clusters sizes.