Fragmentation patterns of multiply ionized hydrocarbons in collisions with swift ions

The multiple ionization and fragmentation of methane and chloromethane was studied in collisions with swift projectile ions utilizing a position- and time-sensitive multi-particle detector. The applied coincidence mapping technique allows a detailed study of the characteristic fragmentation patterns. Even more information about the fragmentation dynamics can be derived from the measured momenta of coincident fragment ions. The measured kinetic energy release spectra of fragmenting CH4 and CH3Cl dications significantly depend on the projectile ion and the collision velocity.