V. M. Apatin

IR laser fragmentation of homogeneous (CF3I)n clusters and (CF3I)n clusters located inside of (Xe)m large clusters or on their surface

We have studied the fragmentation of homogeneous clusters ( is the average number of molecules per cluster) and of clusters that are located either inside of or on the surface of large clusters ( is the average number of atoms per cluster) as a result of resonant excitation of clusterized molecules by IR laser radiation. We have detected that these three types of clusters are differently stable with respect to the fragmentation and exhibit quite different dependences of the fragmentation probability on the IR radiation energy fluence. Whereas homogeneous clusters efficiently fragment at comparatively low laser energy fluences ( mJ cm−2), to fragment clusters that are localized inside clusters, higher energy fluences ( mJ cm−2) are necessary, and even higher energy fluences are required ( mJ cm−2) to fragment clusters localized on the surface of clusters. We have shown that small clusters localized on the surface of clusters do not fragment up to energy fluences of mJ cm−2. Possible reasons why the considered clusters have this fragmentation character are discussed.