Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2026

Coulomb Explosion Imaging as a Tool to Distinguish Between Stereoisomers
Published on: August 18, 2017
Multiple ionization and fragmentation of negatively charged fullerene ions by electron impact
1Institut fur Ionenphysik, Leopold Franzens Universitat, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Abstract:
Cross sections for the electron-impact multiple ionization and fragmentation of negatively charged fullerene ions C(-)(n) ( n = 60, 70) to C(q+)(n-m) ( q = 1,2,3 and m = 0,2,4) have been measured for electron energies up to 1 keV. In the case of pure ionization all threshold energies are about 10 eV higher than the values expected. This shift, however, is not observed for the fragment ions. The experimental data indicate that there is no strong electron-electron interaction between the incident electron and the attached electron. A novel ionization mechanism is proposed which can be expected to be valid for all negatively charged molecular or cluster ions which are able to shield the attached electron from the incident electron.
Related Concept Videos
Mass Spectrometry: Molecular Fragmentation Overview
One type of fragmentation pattern is the cleavage of a single bond in the molecular ion. The cleavage leads to a radical and a cation. The cleavage can occur at...
Mass Spectrometry: Long-Chain Alkane Fragmentation
Chemical Ionization (CI) Mass Spectrometry
Mass Spectrometry: Cycloalkane Fragmentation
For example, cyclohexane molecular ions have a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of 84, which tends to produce a stronger signal than linear alkanes like hexane. This stability comes from...
Mass Spectrometry: Alkyne Fragmentation
Mass Spectrometry: Carboxylic Acid, Ester, and Amide Fragmentation
For example, the fragmentation of...

