Carbon/hydrogen clusters [CnHx+] formation from laser irradiation of coronene

Abstract

This article presents the photo induced dehydrogenation of a cooled molecular jet of coronene, exposed to 266 nm laser radiation. Using unfocused laser radiation of 1064 nm, synchronously coupled with the ionization laser pulses, a system recently developed. Molecular beams were produced by laser desorption of coronene. Analysis of the photoproducts made by time-of flight mass spectrometer showed that a wide variety of ionic species were formed; more than 300 different species were observed. The results showed carbon clusters C+n with n up to 24 as well as carbon/hydrogen clusters C+nH+x with masses higher than 300 m/z. The effect on the laser irradiance on the formation of different ions, in the rage from 109 W/cm2 to 1010 W/cm2, is discussed as it is reflected on the evolution from the big ions to the smaller ones.