October 2007

Journal

Three-Body Breakup in the Dissociative Recombination of the Covalent Triatomic Molecular Ion O3+

By:
Zhaunerchyk, Vitali; Geppert, W.; Larsson, Mats; Thomas, R.; Bahati, Eric M; Bannister, Mark E; Fogle, Mark; Vane, Charles R; sterdahl, F.
Journal Name:
Physical Review Letters
Page Number:
223201
Volume:
98
Issue Number:
22
Publication Date:
October 9, 2007

Abstract

We report the first observation of almost exclusive three-body breakup in the dissociative recombination of a covalent triatomic molecular ion O3+. The three-body channel, constituting about 94% of the total reactivity, has been investigated in detail. The atomic fragments are formed in only the first two electronic states, 3P and 1D, while formation in the 1S state has not been observed. The breakuip predominantly proceeds through dissociative states with linear geometry.


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