Dissociative ionization dynamics of triatomic molecules induced by soft X-rays

Soft X-rays (50eV to 170eV) have been used in conjunction with a triple coincidence time and position sensitive detection apparatus to observe the Coulomb explosion of OCS and CS₂. By varying the X-ray energy we can access ionization channels which result in two or three body break up, for 3+, such as O⁺+C⁺+S⁺ and for 4+ such as S⁺+C⁺+S²⁺. We can compare the kinetic energy release to the value calculated for a purely Coulombic break up from near equilibrium. The extent to which channels are concerted or stepwise is also determined.