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Determination of Energy-Transfer Distributions in Ionizing Ion-Molecule Collisions
S Maclot1, R Delaunay1, D G Piekarski2
1Normandie Université-CIMAP, UMR 6252 CEA/CNRS/ENSICAEN/UNICAEN, Boulevard Henri Becquerel, BP 5133-14070 Caen cedex 5, France.
Physical Review Letters
|August 27, 2016
Summary
Investigating thymidine ionization and fragmentation using ion collisions and photoionization reveals energy deposition patterns. This study links excited states to dissociation pathways and charge distribution in gas-phase nucleosides.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Chemical Physics
- Molecular Spectroscopy
Background:
- Understanding the behavior of nucleosides under ionization is crucial for various fields, including radiation chemistry and astrobiology.
- Thymidine, a fundamental component of DNA, serves as a model system for studying gas-phase ionization and fragmentation dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ionization and fragmentation of thymidine in the gas phase.
- To determine the distribution of energy deposited in ionized thymidine following ion collisions.
- To correlate experimental findings with theoretical predictions of dissociation pathways and charge localization.
Main Methods:
- Combined ion collision and state-selected photoionization experiments.
- Quantum chemistry calculations.
- Mass spectrometry for analyzing fragmentation patterns.
Main Results:
- Accurate determination of energy deposition in ionized thymidine.
- Strong correlation observed between excited states and computed dissociation pathways.
- Insights into charge localization and delocalization in fragmented thymidine ions.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully links experimental observations of thymidine ionization and fragmentation with theoretical models.
- Provides a detailed understanding of the energy transfer and subsequent dissociation mechanisms in gas-phase thymidine ions.
- Highlights the interplay between excited states, dissociation, and charge distribution in molecular fragmentation processes.
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