Most of the matter in our solar system, and, probably, within the whole universe, exists in the form of ionized particles. On the other hand, in our natural environ­ ment, gaseous matter generally consists of neutral atoms and molecules. Only under certain conditions, such as within the path oflightning or in several technical devices (e. g. gas discharges, rocket engines, etc. ) will some of the atoms and molecules be ionized. It is also believed that the chemistry of the earth's troposphere predomi­ nantly proceeds via reactions between neutral particles. (The complex system of atmospheric chemistry will be treated in one of the forthcoming volumes to this series. ) Why, then, are ions considered so important that hundreds oflaboratories all over the world (including some of the most prestigious) are involved in research pro­ grams on ions, covering many different facets, from biochemistry to physics? One may obtain as many different answers as there are research groups busy in this field. There is, however, one simple, common feature which makes it attractive to work with ions: since they carry one or more net elementary charges, they can easily be gui­ ded, focused or separated by appropriate electric and magnetic fields, and, last but not least, they can easily be detected. Apart from these advantages, which are welcome and appreciated by the researcher, the study of molecular ions can provide insight into very fundamental aspects of the general behavior of molecules.

Dissociative recombination (DR) of molecular ions with electrons is a complex, poorly understood molecular process. Its critical role as a neutralising agent in the Earth's upper atmosphere is now well established and its occurrence in many natural and laboratory-produced plasma has been a strong motivation for studying the event. In this book theoretical concepts, experimental methodology and applications are united, revealing the governing principles behind the gas-phase reaction. The book takes the reader through the intellectual challenges posed, describing in detail dissociation mechanisms, dynamics, diatomic and polyatomic ions and related processes, including dissociative excitation, ion pair formation and photodissociation. With the final chapter dedicated to applications in astrophysics, atmospheric science, plasma physics and fusion research, this is a focused, definitive guide to a fundamental molecular process. The book will appeal to academics within physics, physical chemistry and related sciences.

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Product Description: This book provides a long-needed survey of new results. Especially welcome is a new summary of the measured and calculated sputtering yields with an algebraic approximation formula for the energy and angular dependence of the yields, which is useful for researchers who need sputtering yields for physics research or applied problems...read more

Product Description: Considering the properties of inorganic and organic ions pertaining directly, as well as indirectly, to their behaviour in solutions, this work aims to enable the specialist and non-specialist alike to comprehend ion behaviour in ongoing and developing studies and applications...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

Product Description: Recent advances in both experimental techniques and theoretical methodologies have meant that increasingly sophisticated studies concerning the formation, structures, energetics and reaction dynamics of state- or energy-selected molecular ions can now be performed...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

Product Description: This book reviews the major progress made in the fields of atomic, molecular and optical physics in the last decade. It contains eleven chapters in which contributors have highlighted the major accomplishments made in a given subfield...read more

Product Description: Unimolecular and Bimolecular Ion—Molecule Reaction Dynamics Cheuk-Yiu Ng, Ames Laboratory, Iowa State University, Iowa, USA Tomas Baer, University of North Carolina, NC, USA Ivan Powis, University of Nottingham, UK Recent advances in both experimental techniques and theoretical methodologies have meant that increasingly sophisticated studies concerning the formation, structures, energetics, and reaction dynamics of state- or energy-selected molecular ions can now be performed...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

Product Description: A guide for researchers and postgraduate students, this book provides an overview of methods for calculating the atomic characteristics required for hot plasma physics, including cross sections and rate coefficients (excitation, ionization, recombination, etc), wavelengths, and transition probabilities...read more

Product Description: It is now more than 20 years since the book "Radical Ions" edited by Kaiser and Kevan appeared. It contained aspects regarding generation, identification, spin density determination and reactivity of charged molecules with an odd number of electrons...read more

Product Description: The first comprehensive collection of all the major techniques used to study gas phase interactions is presented in this volume. With complete coverage of what a given technique can accomplish, its advantages and disadvantages, the book is designed to teach advanced students and researchers entering the field how to investigate a broad range of topics...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)