Isomer-resolved dissociation of small carbon cluster cations, C7+-C10+

► Small carbon cluster cations consist of linear and cyclic isomers. ► Isomer-resolved dissociation reactions are applied to the isomers cations. ► Coexisting linear and cyclic isomers were separated with ion mobility spectrometry. ► Separated isomers show different dissociation channels depending on the structures. ► The difference between the two fragment distributions implies different mechanisms.