Production of the molecular di-cation ArN2+ in the reaction Ar2++N-2

Molecular di-cations are of particular interest due to their possible metas tability with respect to the Coulomb explosion. Such metastable states may be used as energy storage. We have measured the cross section for the forma tion of the molecular di-cation ArN2+ in the reaction of Ar2+ with N-2 at r elative collision energies from thermal to 70 eV. This result demonstrates the possibility to produce molecular di-cations containing rare gases in ch emical reactions. This method may offer advantages over the direct ionizati on of precursor species.