Formation of beams of negative ions by the process of dissociative electron attachment to a molecule AB (e- + AB → A + B-) is investigated. It is demonstrated that the initial rovibrational excitation of the molecule AB plays a significant role in enhancing the rate of production of negative ions. A simple physical picture, involving the formation of a transient resonant state of the molecular anion, is used to explain this enhancement.

Date Published: 25 July 1989
PDF: 6 pages
Proc. SPIE 1061, Microwave and Particle Beam Sources and Directed Energy Concepts, (25 July 1989); doi: 10.1117/12.951835

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 1061:
Microwave and Particle Beam Sources and Directed Energy Concepts
Howard E. Brandt, Editor(s)