Fission processes following core level excitation in closo ‐1,2‐orthocarborane

Abstract Time‐of‐flight mass analysis with multi‐stop coincidence detection was used to study the multi‐cation ionic fragmentation of the closo carborane cage molecule closo ‐1,2‐orthocarborane (C 2 B 10 H 12 ) following inner‐shell excitation in or above the B 1s regime. Electron ion coincidence spectra reveal the cationic products which are formed after core level excitation. Distinct changes in fragmentation pattern are observed as a function of excitation energy. Photoelectron–photoion–photoion coincidence (PEPIPICO) spectroscopy was used to study the dominant fission routes in the core level excitation regime. Series of ion pairs are identified, where asymmetric fission dominates, leading to ion pairs of different mass. Suitable fission and fragmentation mechanisms are discussed. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)