Dissociation of Positive Molecular Ions

The dissociation of accelerated positive molecular ions on collision with atoms and molecules (impact dissociation) is considered. Various experimental methods for the investigation of such dissociation are compared. The mechanisms of the impact dissociation of molecular ions are examined in relation to the simplest diatomic ions. Attention is concentrated on the impact dissociation of polyatomic ions. The scope of this in the determination of the structures and energetics of excited ions is discussed.
The bibliography includes 120 references.