Infrared spectroscopy of Ti8C12 `met-carʹ cations

Neutral titanium carbide clusters are produced in the gas phase with a standard laser vaporization source and stored in an ion trap for 250 ms after ionization. During this time, the ions are irradiated with infrared light from a free electron laser. Multiphoton absorption and dissociation occurs when the IR light is in resonance with an infrared-allowed vibrational transition. Monitoring the amount of ionic fragments as a function of the IR wavelength yields the infrared spectrum of the parent. The infrared spectrum of the Ti8C12 cation is recorded and compared to the spectrum of the neutral species.