The fragmentation dynamics of small Cs(CsI)n+ cluster ions under low-energy multiple collision conditions

The collision-induced dissociations of small caesium iodide cluster ions of the type Cs(CsI)n+ where n=3-7, have been investigated under low-energy multiple collision conditions. The collisions were performed in the rf-only quadrupole of a BEqQ hybrid mass spectrometer. Breakdown graphs of selected parent ions were obtained by varying the laboratory collision energy in the range of 0-400 eV. The fragmentation dynamic established under these conditions provides a link between the well-known decay behaviour occurring unimolecularly and the dissociations following high energy (keV) collisional activation. Of particular interest is the observation that the energy-dependent dissociation pattern supplies support for the occurrence of one-step fission reactions, featuring the evaporation of presumably intact (CsI)n neutrals as opposed to a sequential decay via nCsI losses. The breakdown graphs thus provide a valuable tool to enhance insight into the fragmentation mechanism of these clusters.