Double photoionization of N2O molecules in the 28-40 eV energy range

The double photoionization of N2O molecules, inthe28–40 eV energy range, has been studied by synchrotron radiation. In the whole energy range, dissociative ionization producing N+ + NO+ or N2+ + O+ has been observed. Below about 35.5eV, these two processes involve the formation of some autoionizing states. In the range between 35.5 and 38.5 eV the two processes occur instead by a direct coulomb explosion of the N2O2+ dication. Above 38.5eV the dissociation leading to NO+ + N+ is also promoted by the formation of a dication metastable state which decays by fluorescence to the ground state and then dissociates.