An (e, 2e + ion) investigation of fragmentation of methane induced by low energy electrons

An (e, 2e+ion) investigation of the ionization and dissociation of methane by 54 eV electron impact is performed using the advanced reaction microscope. By measuring two electrons and the ion in the final state in triple coincidence, the species of the ions are identified, and the energies deposited into the target are determined. The species and the kinetic energies of the fragmented ion show strong dependence on the intermediate states of the parent ion.