Electron-impact dissociation of N 2 D + cations to D + fragments

Absolute cross sections for electron-impact dissociation of N 2 D + cations to the light D + fragments are reported for the first time. The animated electron-ion crossed-beam method is applied in the energy range from thresholds up to 2 keV. The heavy N 2 + fragments are also detected and their kinetic energy distribution is analyzed at a selected electron energy. The measured cross-sections are corrected for incomplete collection of the light D + fragments by performing careful analyser magnetic field scan together with a Monte-Carlo procedure. Inclusive absolute cross sections are determined. Dissociative excitation (DE) and dissociative ionization (DI) contributions are separated and the corresponding partial cross sections for D + fragment production are determined at selected electron energies. The inclusive cross section for D + fragment production has a maximum of (87 ± 7)×10 −18 cm 2 , at 95.1 eV, with the dominant contribution from the DI process. Graphical abstract