Absolute cross sections for the dissociation of hydrogen cluster ions in high-energy collisions with helium atoms

Absolute dissociation cross sections are reported for Hn+ clusters of varied mass (n=3,5,...,35) following collisions with He atoms at 60 keV/amu. Initial results have been published previously for a smaller range of cluster sizes [Ouaskit et al., Phys. Rev. A 49, 1484 (1994)]. The present extended study includes further experimental results, reducing the statistical errors associated with the absolute cross sections. The previously suggested quasilinear dependence of the Hn+ dissociation cross sections upon n is developed with reference to expected series of geometrical shells of H2 molecules surrounding a H3+ core. Recent calculations identify n=9 as corresponding to the first closed H2 shell [e.g., Stich et al., J. Chem. Phys. 107, 9482 (1997)]. Recurrence of the distinct characteristics observed in the dissociation-cross-section dependence upon cluster size around n=9 provides the basis for the presently proposed subsequent closed shells at n=15, 21, 27, and 33, in agreement with the calculations of Nagashima et al. [J. Phys. Chem. 96, 4294 (1992)]