PHOTODISSOCIATION OF C-N(+) CLUSTERS

Photodissociation of jet-cooled, mass-selected C-n(-) clusters with 16 less than or equal to n less than or equal to 36 has been analyzed as a function of the dissociation laser fluence. From the dependence of the C-n(+) depletion, the number of adsorbed photons and the absorptio n cross section have been determined. The dissociation energy is deduc ed from the internal energy before fragmentation. A decreassing stabil ity is observed from C-16(+) to C-29(+). Above C-30(+), two isomeric f orms are found, with one having a higher stability.