Photophysics of interstellar PAHS+ in the PIRENEA experiment

This paper reports the first results obtained on the photodissociation of the isolated PAH cations 12C24H+12, 13C12C23H+12 and 12C24H+10, using the astrochemistry experimental set-up PIRENEA. The dissociation patterns of these ions involve the loss of pairs of hydrogen atoms. A first interpretation indicates that the -H2 dissociation path is favoured compared to the -H path in our experimental conditions. These results might have important implications on the formation of H2 in the interstellar medium.