PRODUCTION AND INVESTIGATION OF MULTIPLY-CHARGED METAL-CLUSTERS IN A PENNING TRAP

Singly charged gold cluster ions from a laser-vaporization source are transferred into a Penning trap and subjected to electron bombardment. The charged reaction products are analyzed by time-of-flight mass spe ctrometry after axial ejection from the trap. They include singly char ged cluster fragments, multiply charged clusters of the initial size a nd multiply charged cluster fragments. The multiply charged clusters a re selected and further investigated by collision induced dissociation . Two types of reactions can be distinguished: Dissociation into sever al charged fragments and evaporation of neutrals. Several features of multiply charged clusters relevant for future investigations are revie wed.