Selective bond rupture in nitrous oxide stimulated by core electron excitation

Dissociation of nitrous oxide following selective excitation of a 1 s electron either from the terminal nitrogen atom or from the central nitrogen atom to the 3 pi orbital is observed by single-event energy-resolved Auger-electron-multiple-ion coincidence mass spectroscopy. The ionic products, observed by time-of-flight mass spectroscopy, are correlated with the valence-hole states, which are reached by autoionization of the core-hole excited state, and with the energetically allowed ionization and fragmentation channels. Selectivity in bond rupture resulting from the atomic-site selected excitation is observed. This selectivity results from the different populations of the states reached in the Auger-like decay of the coreholes and not from a proximity effect. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.