Two-body versus multi-body breakup in CH3− formation at higher-energy resonances

Determine whether CH3− anion formation from dissociative electron attachment to ethyl acetate at the higher-energy resonances (approximately 7.3, 8.5, and 10.1 eV) proceeds via two-body dissociation with highly excited fragments or via three-body (or higher-order) breakup of the temporary negative ion, and characterize the operative dissociation pathway(s).

Background

The CH3− ion yield shows overlapping resonances in the 6–12 eV region. Based on resonance positions, the authors speculate that the 5.7 eV feature likely involves two-body dissociation, whereas the higher-energy features (7.3, 8.5, and 10.1 eV) might arise from either two-body channels with significant rovibrational excitation or from three-body (or higher-order) dissociation.

However, the authors explicitly state that their present measurements do not conclusively answer whether multi-body breakup occurs. Resolving this uncertainty requires identifying the dissociation multiplicity and pathway(s) responsible for CH3− production at these resonances.