Experimental observation of non-Coulombic states of transient multichargedmolecular ions N-2(4+) and O-2(4+) - art. no. 030702

A direct experimental evidence of non-Coulombic states of N-2 (4+) and O-2 (4+) transient multicharged ions is presented using laser-induced Coulomb e xplosion and kinetic-energy spectra measurements of, respectively, the N2+ N2+ and O2+ + O2+ fragmentation channels. The substructure patterns of th e energy spectra provide an unambiguous identification of several fragmenta tion channels within the same final charge states of the fragments. Higher laser intensities favor higher energetic channels. This experimental fact a nd ab initio calculations from the literature indicate that the molecule ex plodes at an internuclear distance range close to the equilibrium internucl ear distance for these high energetic channels.