The photofragmentation behavior of the lead-doped bismuth cluster ${}^{209}\mathrm{Bi}_7{}^{208}\mathrm{Pb}^{+}$ is investigated by use of multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MR-ToF MS), which serves both as precursor selector on a scale of single atomic mass units as well as high-resolution fragment analyzer. This is an implementation of a tandem MR-ToF study, where two instances of high-resolution mass spectrometry are used, namely for pre-selection and post-excitation analysis, in quick succession within a single device to determine complex dissociation patterns. The full information of the fragmentation pathways is obtained, including branching ratios describing the retention of the charge on the pure or compound cluster. The results are compared to the behavior of the analogous pure bismuth cluster ${}^{209}\mathrm{Bi}_8^{+}$ and interpreted within the framework of well-established cluster stability rules.

• Received 29 May 2019

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.1.033050

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Published by the American Physical Society