Electron and ion high-resolution interaction studies using sector field mass spectrometry: propane a case study

In this review experimental techniques developed in the past years in our l aboratory concerning (i) the measurement of partial electron impact ionizat ion cross sections, (ii) the determination of kinetic energy release distri butions for fragment ions produced by spontaneous and electron-induced diss ociations of molecular ions and (iii) the derivation of appearance energies for parent and fragment ions will be summarized and results will be given for the propane molecule as an example relevant for plasma applications. (C ) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.