Fragmentation of CO2 molecules in slow charge exchange collisions with Ar8+

Charge exchange collisions between multiply charged ions and CO2 have been studied at low collision velocities (E=400 eV/amu). The stability of the ion, produced in different charge states, is analyzed by means of a time-of-flight spectrometer. Recoil ions and fragments are measured in coincidence with projectile ions, which are selected with respect to their charge state and the scattering angle. For large impact parameters the production of singly and doubly charged CO2 ions turns out to be the major process. The opening of one out of two molecular bindings is found to be more likely than the total fragmentation of the molecule. The formation of O+ and CO+ fragments with very small kinetic energies is explained by single electron capture forming CO2+ in the excited (C 2Σg+) state. Collisions with smaller impact parameters and multi-electron capture processes always lead to a total fragmentation of the molecule characterized by a symmetric Coulomb explosion