Electron attachment to HCl clusters

Negatively charged cluster ions of hydrogen chloride are formed by electron attachment to HCl clusters, which are produced in a seeded supersonic beam traversing a sustained gas discharge. Cluster ions of (HCl)n-, with n = 2, and tentatively with n = 3 and 4 are observed. Cluster ions like Cln-, Cln- (HCl)m, and with Ar attached to them are also seen. The relevance to radiation chemistry of HCl is briefly discussed. Atoms evaporating from the hot, thoriated tungsten filament of the glow discharge lead to clusters such as Thn- and its oxides. (orig.)